Sergeant Major Merritt was born 29 July 1985 in Helena, Arkansas. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on 06 September 2002 and attended recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Training Depot Parris Island on 26 June 2003. Private Merritt then received orders to the School of Infantry, Infantry Training Battalion, at Camp Geiger North Carolina. In January 2004, Private Merritt received orders to 1st Battalion 2nd Marines located in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Private Merritt served as an ammo man in Weapons Company, 81s Platoon from January to June 2004. Private First Class Merritt deployed for the first time in July 2004, 24th MEU, to Iskanderia Iraq and returned in February 2005, where he served as 81mm Gunner, 240 Gunner, Driver, and Rifleman. Lance Corporal Merritt deployed in November 2005 to April 2006 for a second time to Hit Iraq, 22nd MEU SOC, where he served as 81mm Squad leader, Rifle squad leader, Convoy commander, and liaison between the Iraq army and the Marines. Corporal Merritt then reenlisted and deployed for a third time to Al Anbar Iraq from March to September 2007, where he served as 81mm Squad Leader, Rifle Squad Leader, and Convoy Commander.
Sergeant Merritt then received orders to Marine Combat Instructor Course (MCIC) School of Infantry (SOI) East. Upon graduation of MCIC, Sergeant Merritt received orders to Company A, Infantry Training Battalion (ITB). He served as a Primary Instructor for 0311 Rifleman, 0341 Mortar man, and as Senior Mortar Instructor for ITB in the Weapons Instructor Group, from July 2009 to March 2011.
Sergeant Merritt then received orders to 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines, Weapons Company, 81mm Mortar Platoon, in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, where he served as a Section Leader from March 2011 to November 2011.
In November 2011, Sergeant Merritt deployed for a fourth deployment to Garmsir, Afghanistan and served as a Rifle Squad Leader till May 2012. In July 2012, Sergeant Merritt was assigned as the Fire Direction Chief for the pre-deployment work-up prior to the UDP to Japan. In June 2013, Sergeant Merritt deployed to Okinawa, Japan. After returning from his fifth deployment in December 2013, Staff Sergeant Merritt was holding the billet of Platoon Sergeant, and Platoon Commander and for the 81mm Mortar Platoon.
In February 2014, Staff Sergeant Merritt received orders to I MEF EOTG, Camp Pendleton, CA. He held the billet of OIC and SNCOIC of Assault Climbers and Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques Masters courses until February 2017. He then received orders to Staff Non-commissioned Officers Academy aboard Camp Pendleton, CA as a Sergeant School Faculty Advisor.
On February 2nd, 2018, Gunnery Sergeant Merritt was appointed as the SNCOIC of Sergeants School. On April 15th, 2019, Gunnery Sergeant Merritt was appointed as the SNCOIC of Advanced School till executing orders on February 3rd, 2020, to 3d Battalion 4th Marines.
Gunnery Sergeant Merritt served as Company Gunnery Sergeant for Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion 4th Marines and deployed a sixth time on the 31st MEU to Okinawa, Japan in November 2020. On May 14, 2021, Gunnery Sergeant Merritt was promoted to First Sergeant.
On May 28th, 2021, First Sergeant Merritt checked into 3d Light Armor Reconnaissance Battalion and deployed a seventh time on the 31st MEU with BLT 2/5 to Okinawa, Japan in May 2022 as the Company First Sergeant for Company A.
On Feb 8th, 2023, First Sergeant Merritt checked into 8th Engineer Support Battalion as the Engineer Support Company First Sergeant. On August 1, 2023, First Sergeant Merritt was selected to join CLB-6 as the H&S Company First Sergeant and deploy to Norway, (MRF-E) for an eighth deployment. Upon returning in May 2024, First Sergeant Merritt was promoted to Sergeant Major.
On June 7, 2024, Sergeant Major Merritt checked into SOI-E, and assumed the billet as the H&S Battalion Sergeant Major.
On October 28, 2025, Sergeant Major Merritt assumed the billet as the 1st Battalion 2nd Marines Battalion Sergeant Major.
Sergeant Major Merritt's personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Gold star, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 3 Gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 3 Gold stars, Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.