Ernan S. Obellos was born in Iloilo City, Philippines. Inspired by his uncles who served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force, he aspired to pursue a military career from an early age. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of the Philippines and Central Philippine University before joining the United States Navy in December 1988 through the United States Navy Philippine Enlistment Program (PEP) at Naval Base Subic Bay, Philippines. He was one of only 16 applicants selected from approximately 600 candidates in his recruitment batch to attend the Recruit Training Command in San Diego, California. Obellos belonged to the last generation of Filipino sailors recruited through the PEP, which enabled qualified Filipinos to enlist in the U.S. Navy through Naval Station Sangley Point and Subic Bay Naval Base without requiring U.S. immigration credentials.

After serving as an enlisted sailor, Obellos earned his commission through Officer Candidate School in 1998. He subsequently graduated from the Navy Supply Corps School, earned a Master of Business Administration in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and completed executive education programs at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.

Throughout his distinguished naval career, Obellos held numerous operational assignments, including Supply Officer aboard USS Gladiator (MCM-11), USS Dextrous (MCM-13), USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), and USS America (LHA-6). He also served with Naval Special Warfare Unit Three, Fleet Logistics Center Dubai, and as Comptroller for U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. Fifth Fleet, and Combined Maritime Forces in Bahrain. His shore assignments included the Naval Inventory Control Point in Philadelphia, the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Surface Forces Pacific, Naval Special Warfare Group One, and the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation in San Diego.

Rising from Seaman Recruit (E-1), Obellos ultimately attained the rank of Captain (O-6), becoming one of the few Filipino sailors to progress from the enlisted ranks to a commissioned officer. Following his assignment in Bahrain, he received orders to the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, where he continued contributing to the Navy's operational readiness and technological advancement. He also served as the Active Duty Representative of the U.S. Sailors Alliance of the Philippines (USSAP).

Source of information: mynavsup-public.nag.navy.mil