Major General Ellison graduated from Pennsylvania State University and commissioned on 26 May 1993. He has served as an Infantry officer at all levels, including command at Marine Barracks, Washington D.C.; Headquarters and Weapons Companies, 1st Battalion, Seventh Marines during Operation Iraqi Freedom; 2nd Battalion, Sixth Marines during Operation Enduring Freedom; and Seventh Marine Regiment in Twentynine Palms, California.
Major General Ellison has served as a staff officer at all levels from the Battalion Level to the Joint Staff. His key staff officer positions include Battalion and Regimental Operations Officer, Planner for 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD), the Senior Aide De Camp to the 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Deputy Executive Assistant to the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and as the Director of the Marine Senate Liaison Office. He most recently served as the Deputy Director for Current and Integrated Operations (J-33), Operations Directorate (J-3), the Joint Staff.
As a General Officer, he assumed duties as the Commanding General, 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade and Deputy Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force. On June 24, 2022, Major General Kyle B. Ellison assumed duties as Commanding General, Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory / Futures Directorate and Vice Chief of Naval Research. Major General Ellison holds a BA in Criminal Justice from the Pennsylvania State University, an MA in Operational Studies from the Marine Corps University and an MS in National Security Strategy from the National War College.