Chief Warrant Officer Elias was born in Los Angeles, California in 1979 and entered the Marine Corps in 1997. After initial training and artillery assignments in Okinawa and Hawaii, he laterally transferred into Explosive Ordnance Disposal, completing specialized training to join an elite community of technicians who locate, render safe, and dispose of explosive threats. His expertise included improvised explosive devices, chemical, radiological, and nuclear hazards in support of Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations, homeland defense, and special operations forces.
He served with 1st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Platoon at Camp Pendleton and deployed multiple times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Unified Assistance. He later deployed to Ramadi, Iraq as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team Leader with the Second Marine Expeditionary Force.
In 2008, he joined 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion and deployed twice to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2015, he was assigned to the 1st Marine Raider Battalion and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. He retired in 2019.
His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal and Combat Action Ribbon (3rd award).