CAPT Bill Merz
Originally from San Diego, California, CAPT Merz graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ocean Engineering. He has since earned Masters Degrees from the Catholic University of America and the Naval War College/Naval Command College.
His sea assignments began in 1988 aboard USS HADDO (SSN 604) in San Diego. Follow-on tours included Radiological Controls Officer aboard USS PROTEUS (AS 19) in Guam; Engineer Officer aboard USS BOISE (SSN 764) in Norfolk; and then as Officer-in-Charge of SUBMARINE NR-1 and Commanding Officer of USS MEMPHIS (SSN 691), both in Groton.
CAPT Merz most recently commanded Submarine Development Squadron TWELVE, also located in Groton and home to seven frontline attack submarines and a specialized team of sixty civilians and active duty submariners. This team is responsible for writing tactical doctrine on behalf of the submarine force and for overseeing the advanced development of future tactical and navigation systems.
Shore assignments included submarine design research at David Taylor Naval Ship Research and Development Center in Carderock, Maryland, two tours as a budget programmer in the Pentagon, and duties as Special Assistant for Fleet Operations in the Line Locker at Naval Reactors. He is currently serving as the Chief of Staff, Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic in Norfolk, VA.