Major Salas enlisted into the Marine Corps March 2000. Following recruit training, he trained to become an avionics technician and reported to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31 in Beaufort, SC. While there, he pinned on Corporal and Sergeant, and deployed aboard the USS Enterprise in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lastly, he completed Corporal’s Course as the Honor Graduate and Sergeant’s Course as the #3 graduate.
January 2005, Major Salas reported to Parris Island, SC for duty as a Drill Instructor. He was the #4 graduate and went on to serve as a Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor. February 2007, he pinned on Staff Sergeant and was hand selected to travel to Colombia, South America to serve as a Drill Instructor trainer for the Colombian Marines. Nearing the end of his tour, he was selected to serve as a Platoon Sergeant for a ten-week OCS platoon where he was selected as top instructor for the cycle.
October 2008, Major Salas reported for duty at Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 in Iwakuni, Japan. During this tour he pinned on Gunnery Sergeant in January 2011, and he served as Avionics SNCOIC, Corporal’s Course Chief Instructor, and Squadron Gunnery Sergeant. He graduated from Career Course as the Honor Graduate and attended night and weekend college classes, ultimately earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Science. In 2009, he deployed to Mongolia where he served as a Military Leadership Development Instructor for the Mongolian Army. In 2010 he represented his unit at the Far East Division Marksmanship matches, winning several team and personal shooting medals.
October 2011, Major Salas reported for duty at Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 in Yuma, AZ. Shortly after arriving, he was accepted into the Enlisted Commissioning Program. January 2012, he reported to Officer Candidates School where he commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. Following OCS and TBS, Major Salas trained to become an Aviation Supply Officer and reported for duty at Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36 in Okinawa, Japan. During this tour, he pinned on First Lieutenant and served as a Division Supply Officer and Assistant Department Head. In 2015, he deployed in support of Operation Sahayogi Haat in Nepal and represented his unit at the Far East Division Marksmanship matches, winning several team and personal shooting medals. Lastly, in 2015 he completed the 2-year Expeditionary Warfare School curriculum through the Distance Education Program.
January 2016, Major Salas reported for duty at Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11 where he served as Assistant Department Head for the Aviation Supply Department and Squadron Legal Officer. During this tour, he pinned on Captain and took a third team to Marine Corps Division Matches where he earned his last team and personal shooting medals. Lastly, he deployed as a part of the Command Element for the Special Purpose MAGTF, CR-CC based out of Kuwait.
April 2019, Major Salas reported for duty as Marine Officer Instructor at the University of IL at Urbana-Champaign. During this tour he earned a Master of Arts in Education, served as OCS Company Commander during the summer, and served as a voting member on various NROTC scholarship boards and MECEP/ECP selection boards. July 2022, he executed orders to MALS-11 to serve as the Department Head for the Aviation Supply Department. He is now the Executive Officer for MALS-11
Personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (X2), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (X5), the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal (X4). He is married and has two sons. His hobbies include running, motorcycles, snowboarding, and real estate/finances.