Lifelong Madison County Resident. (2014 – present), he has been a full time Professor
of Public Speaking, Humanities and American History for North Florida College in his
home town of Madison, Florida. An ordained Southern Baptist minister since 2001,
Elias has served as a youth pastor, interim pastor and senior pastor all across North
Florida and South Georgia. , Elias taught secondary education Social Studies from
2006 to 2013 at Madison County High School.
In 2013, Elias was commissioned as a chaplain in the United States Navy Reserve. He
has been assigned to Command Navy Region Southeast Regional Operation Center at Naval
Air Station Jacksonville, Marine Forces Reserve Hq in New Orleans, 23d Marines Regimental
Chaplain and In May of 2016 Elias deployed for 13 months as the Special Operations
Command Central Headquarters Forward Command Chaplain supporting Operation Inherent
Resolve. He currently supports Command Surface Forces Atlantic Tycom HQ in Norfolk
,VA as a Supervisory Chaplain. LCDR Elias Paulk currently serves as the lead action
officer for the Yellow Ribbon Returing Warrior Workshops serving as a key Speaker
on Spiritual Toughness across the country.
Elias’ awards include Professional Navy Excellence Award (2020) Joint Commendation
Medal for meritorious service, Navy Commendation Award (2), Navy and Marine Corps
Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, National Defense Medal, Inherent
Resolve Campaign Medal, GWOTE, GWOT, Naval Reserve Sea Service, Navy and Marine Corps
Overseas Service, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device. He was nominated by
Navy Region Southeast ROC for the 2016 “Outstanding Junior Officer of the Year”.
