Major Merrill graduated from the United States Naval Academy and was com-missioned in the United States Marine Corps as an infantry officer.  Major Merrill served in 8th Marines as a Platoon Commander, Executive Officer and Operations Officer from 1993 to 1999. Upon graduating Epeditionary Warfare School, he served as Company Commander and Operations Officer. Major Merrill served in numerous leadership and staff positions during multiple combat tours to Iraq and Afghanistan as an Infantry Commander, Staff Officer and Combat Advisor. Major Merrill retired in the summer of 2012.