Sergeant Major Elizondo was born in Houston, Texas and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on July 8, 2002. He graduated from recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego, California in October 2002 and reported to Infantry Training Battalion (ITB) at Camp Pendleton, California. Upon completion of ITB, where he earned the Military Occupational Specialty of 0311 Rifleman, he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
In April 2004, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines was assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) for Operation Enduring Freedom as part of the Maritime Special Purpose Force. During this deployment, Sergeant Major Elizondo participated in combat operations at Tirin Kut and Dey Chopan. In 2005, Sergeant Major Elizondo again deployed with 1st Battalion, 6th Marines to Fallujah, Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom where he served as a Team leader. While in Fallujah, he was promoted on August 1, 2005 to the rank of Corporal. Upon the unit’s redeployment to CONUS, he received orders to Weapons and Field Training Battalion (WFTBN), Camp Pendleton, California.
While assigned to WFTBN Range Company, Sergeant Major Elizondo held the billets of Marksmanship Coach, Block Noncommissioned Officer, and Primary Marksmanship instructor. He also served on the MCRD Shooting team and competed in various rifle matches across the nation.
In 2008 Sergeant Major Elizondo received orders to 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, Camp Pendleton, California. In June 2009, the unit deployed to Nawa, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and participated in operations Khanjar “Strike of the Sword” and “River Liberty” as the Noncommissioned Officer In Charge of dog handlers. In March 2011, he deployed as a Squad leader to Sangin, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Upon return from deployment, he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant on December 1, 2011.
In January 2012, Sergeant Major Elizondo attended Basic Recruiter Course, MCRD, San Diego, California. Upon graduation, he received orders to Marine Corps Recruiting Station, Orange County, California to serve as a canvasing recruiter and station Commander. Upon completion of a successful tour, Sergeant Major Elizondo received orders to 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, Camp Pendleton, California.
After his arrival at 3d Battalion, 5th Marines in January 2015, he assumed the billet of First Platoon Commander, subsequently Platoon Sergeant, where he deployed to Okinawa, Japan in Support of Unit Deployment 16.1. Upon redeployment, he was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant on September 1, 2016.
In April 2017, Sergeant Major Elizondo reported to Combat Instructor School, School of Infantry West, Camp Pendleton, California. Upon completion he was assigned to Infantry Training Battalion, Alpha Company where he served as the Company Chief Instructor and Company First Sergeant. In April 2020, Sergeant Major Elizondo was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant.
In April 2020, Sergeant Major Elizondo reported to 1st Radio Battalion, Camp Pendleton, California where he served as Bravo Company First Sergeant. In January 2021, Sergeant Major Elizondo received orders to the recently activated Marine Wing Support Squadron 174 (MWSS-174), Marine Aircraft Group 24(-), Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. There he served as the Unit Senior Enlisted Leader for Headquarters and Service Company. While assigned to MWSS-174, Sergeant Major Elizondo deployed to the Philippines in support of Exercise Balikatan 23, serving as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for the Aviation Combat Element. In August of 2024 Sergeant Major Elizondo was promoted to his current rank and currently serves as Command Senior Enlisted Leader of 3d Battalion, 11th Marines.