Colonel Ayers enlisted in the Marine Corps in November 1995 after graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana Tech University. Upon graduating from recruit training and the School of Infantry and passing the reconnaissance indoctrination he was assigned to 1st Reconnaissance Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton in April 1996. As a member of 1st Reconnaissance Company, he served as an assistant radio operator with 1st platoon and an assistant team leader with 5th platoon. During this time, he deployed twice to the Persian Gulf with a Marine Expeditionary Unit.
In 1999, Colonel Ayers was selected on the Enlisted Commissioning Program Board to attend Officer Candidates School. Upon graduation from Officer Candidates School, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. After graduating from The Basic School and the Infantry Officer Course, Colonel Ayers reported to 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. While a member of V14 he served as a rifle platoon commander and company executive officer and deployed twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).
In 2004, Colonel Ayers reported to Quantico where he served as the Reconnaissance and Special Skills Officer, G-3, Training and Education Command. In 2007, Colonel Ayers reported to 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, where he served as the Company Commander, Headquarters and Service Company, and deployed to Ramadi, Iraq in support of OIF. In 2008, post Company Command, he reported to 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and served as the Team Chief for Military Transition Team (MiTT) 0732 and subsequently redeployed to Al Qaim, Iraq as a Battalion Overwatch MiTT alongside three Iraqi Army Battalions from the 28th Brigade, 7th Iraqi Division.
In 2009, Colonel Ayers was assigned to Officer Candidates School where he served as a Company Commander and Operations Officer before being selected to serve as the Aide-de-Camp for the Deputy Commandant, Combat Development, and Integration. In 2011, Colonel Ayers was assigned to the Joint Staff where he served as the Assistant Deputy Director for Operations, Operations Team Four, Operations Directorate in the National Military Command Center.
In 2015, Colonel Ayers reported to 3d Marine Division, Okinawa, Japan and served as the Battalion Executive Officer, 3d Reconnaissance Battalion. In 2017, he reported to 2d Marine Division and served as the Battalion Commander, 3d Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment. In 2020, he reported to Headquarters Marine Corps, Plans, Policies, and Operations, Future Operations Branch and served as the Ground Combat and Futures Section Head and Infantry OccField Manager. In 2022, he reported again to 3d Marine Division and served as the Assistant Chief of Staff, Operations Directorate (G3). In 2023, he assumed his current duties as the Commanding Officer, Officer Candidates School.
Colonel Ayers is a graduate of the Marine Corps Expeditionary Warfare School, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and Marine Corps War College.