Sergeant Major Ellis is a native of Las Vegas, Nevada. He reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA for Basic Training in May of 2007. He was assigned the Military Occupational Specialty of 0411 and reported to Logistics Operations School, Camp Johnson, NC. Upon graduating he received orders to Headquarters Battery, 12th Marine Regiment, Camp Hansen, Okinawa Japan.
In December 2008, Sergeant Major Ellis was promoted to the rank of Corporal. In November 2009, Sergeant Major Ellis reported to 2d Marine Special Operations Battalion and deployed as part of the Special Operations Task Force - West in Herat, Afghanistan. In May 2011, he performed a lateral move into the Military Occupational Specialty of 0451, Airborne and Air Delivery Specialist. In August 2011, he was promoted to Sergeant.
In November of 2013, Sergeant Major Ellis reported to the Army Military Free Fall School at Yuma Proving Grounds in Yuma, AZ. While there he served as Paraloft Chief and instructor for both the Basic Military Free Fall Course and the Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Course. In 2014, Sergeant Major Ellis was promoted to Staff Sergeant.
In May of 2017, Sergeant Major Ellis reported to I&I duty at Echo Company, 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, Joliet, IL. While there Sergeant Major Ellis deployed as part of the Unit Deployment Program in support of 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion. In September 2018, he was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant.
In August of 2020, Sergeant Major Ellis reported to Headquarters Marine Corps Family Readiness Division, Quantico, VA, to serve as a case manager within the casualty operations section. In December 2021, he was selected to First Sergeant and was frocked in May of 2022.
In May of 2022, Sergeant Major Ellis reported to Combat Instructor Battalion, The Basic School, Quantico, VA, to serve as the Warfighting Instructor Company First Sergeant. In October of 2022, First Sergeant Ellis was appointed and assumed the role of Sergeant Major for Combat Instructor Battalion for five months before returning to the Warfighting Instructor Company and finishing his tour at Mike Company.
In November of 2023, Sergeant Major Ellis reported to 3d Littoral Logistics Battalion, Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay, HI, to serve as the General Support Company senior enlisted leader. In November 2025, he was selected to Sergeant Major and received orders to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 224, Beaufort SC.
In March of 2026, Sergeant Major Ellis was Frocked to his current rank. In April of 2026, he reported to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 224 as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader where he currently serves.