Lieutenant Colonel Elsasser was raised in Stafford, Virginia. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from James Madison University in 2009 and commissioned through the Platoon Leaders Class.
Lieutenant Colonel Elsasser’s Fleet Marine Force assignments have all been within the 1st Marine Division.
While assigned to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, he deployed to Afghanistan as a Platoon Commander in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. He then deployed to the Western Pacific as a Company Executive Officer with Battalion Landing Team 1/4 on the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
As a Company Commander assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, he deployed with the Battalion as part of Special Purpose MAGTF-Crisis Response-Central Command in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.
He served as the Executive Officer at 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines and at 7th Marine Regiment, where he supported Operation ARDENT VANGUARD on the U.S. Southwest Border.
Lieutenant Colonel Elsasser served in the supporting establishment as a "Coyote" at Tactical Training and Exercise Control Group and as an Operations and Tactics Instructor at Marine Corps Tactics and Operations Group.
Lieutenant Colonel Elsasser is a graduate of Officer Candidates School, The Basic School, Infantry Officer Course, Light Armored Reconnaissance Leaders Course, Cavalry Leaders Course, Maneuver Captains Career Course, Tactical MAGTF Integration Course, the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and the Ground Combat Element Commanders’ Course.
He assumed command of 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines on 21 May 2026.