Commander David C. Ellis enlisted in the United States Marines Corps in 1989 where he served as a Ground Radio Repairman for Bravo Company, 2nd Tank Battalion during the first Gulf War.  After achieving the rank of Sergeant, he was accepted to the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in English.  He was designated a Naval Aviator in February 2000.

Commander Ellis’ initial operational assignment was flying the C-2A Greyhound with the “Providers” of VRC-30 in San Diego, California.  He was assigned to Detachment Three, completing two operational deployments with Carrier Air Wing Eleven onboard the USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70) and the USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM.  During his tour as a flight instructor with VT-31 in Corpus Christi, Texas, he was selected to serve as an Electronic Warfare Officer attached to Joint Crew Composite Squadron One in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM where he was an advisor to the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 3rd Marines in Haditha, Iraq.  After selection for Aviation Department Head, he rejoined VRC-30 and Carrier Air Wing Eleven in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Upon returning from deployment, Commander Ellis was selected to be the Operations Officer for Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Crete, Greece.  As the Operations Officer, he was responsible for supporting the bases mission to extend Joint and Fleet warfighting capability through operational support by operating and sustaining superior facilities and services dedicated to the combat readiness of ships, aircraft and personnel.

Commander Ellis’ final assignment was to Naval Base Guam.  As the Executive Officer, he was responsible for managing 240 military and 400 civilian personnel in the day to day base operating support functions for four U.S. Naval Bases on Guam totaling more than 18K acres, 35 tenant commands, and 1.8K buildings.

1 March 2017 Commander Ellis transitioned to retired status.  He became the Senior Naval Science Instructor at Bastrop High School in November of 2022.

Commander Ellis has flown over 2500 hours in various platforms, including over 1500 in the C-2A Greyhound and has accumulated over 180 traps.  His personal decorations include two Meritorious Service Medals, four Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and numerous other unit and campaign awards.  

Commander Ellis and his wife, Dawn, have three children, Jacob, Tyler and Stephen.