Robert J. Merkle
vice president
training & operations
During the past 28 years of Naval Service my professional experience as a Command Master Chief, Master Explosive Ordnance
Disposal Technician, and Master Training Specialist have been continuously improved due to Leadership responsibilities, operational accountability, and superior training opportunities. Throughout my tenure in these demanding positions I have been given
additional responsibilities to lead and develop Special Operations warfighting professionals in the successful accomplishment
of our mission, goals and strategic plans. I am a seasoned veteran with a consistent record of success in personnel management,
team building, EOD Operations, safety and security, counterterrorism and Special Operations Training. A brief summary of my
qualifications and experience are listed below:
Education
Graduate Joint Service Explosive Ordnance Disposal School (NAVSCOLEOD)
Advanced Access and Disablement (AAD)
U.S. Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal (NAVSCOLEOD)
U.S. Navy Advanced EOD Course
Tasked based Curriculum Development
Major Registrations /Certifications
- U.S. Navy Master Training Specialist
- U.S. Navy Master EOD Technician
- Navy Diver Second Class
- U.S. Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Phase I & II
- U.S. Navy Basic Instructors Course
- U.S. Naval Parachutist
- Advanced Access and Disablement (AAD)
- U.S. Navy Advanced EOD Course
- U.S. Navy Tasked based Curriculum Development
- Secret Security Clearance
Major Achievements
- Master Training Specialist
- Master EOD Technician
- U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Specialist
- U.S. Navy Air Warfare Specialist
- Certified Master Instructor
- U.S. Navy Naval Parachutist
Experience
Critical Incident Solutions ( An O’Gara Company)
• Oct 2007–Present (Deputy Director of Business Development)
U.S. Navy
• Feb 1979–Oct 2007
-EOD Training and Evaluation Unit TWO (Command Master Chief, Master Training Specialist Master EOD Technician)
• Senior Enlisted Manager/Master Training Specialist/Master EOD Technician for the Navy’s largest EOD training unit.
• Responsible for the training of all Navy EOD detachments, various federal and local agencies in the IED/WMD, Chemical
Biological and Underwater areas.
• Subject Matter Expert/Evaluator in several training areas.
• Assist in the review and update of curriculum, monitors instructor/course critiques and training feedback.
-EOD Mobile Unit TWO (Command Master Chief ,Master Training Specialist, Master EOD Technician)
• Senior Enlisted Manager/Master EOD Technician for the largest special operations EOD unit in the US Navy.
• Developed and implemented a comprehensive training program for new candidate’s entry into EOD; this was used
as the model for the Navy’s EOD entry program.
• Subject Matter Expert: Chairman for all Master/Senior EOD qualification boards.
• Responsible for the manning of 14 highly trained EOD detachments deploying to fight the war on terrorism.
• Accountable for the training of all members in detachments; ensuring they receive the proper training required to
perform their missions.
- EOD Mobile Unit TEN (Command Master Chief ,Master Training Specialist, Master EOD Technician)
• Senior Enlisted Manager/Master EOD Technician for seven detachments responsible for training and conducting
Ordnance clearance, mobile communications, area search and combat support.
• Developed comprehensive long and short range training programs designed on defeating the real world threat of terrorism.
• Organized and participated in full scale mobilization drills evaluating the success of designed training programs.
• Chairman for all Master/Senior EOD qualification boards.
• NAVSCOLEOD (Curriculum Instructional Standards Division Officer, Training Department LCPO)
• Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge supervising 75 instructors in all eight divisions of EOD Phase I training facility; 850+
joint services, international and civilian students trained annually.
• Division Officer for the Curriculum Standards Office; responsible for the instructor evaluations; course materials, trend
analysis for the only certified Explosive Ordnance School in the U.S. Military.
• Conducted Formal Course Review of EOD Training curriculum resulting in streamlined course outlines and improved
training efficiencies.
• Excelled as Division Officer of the highly technical Biological/Chemical and Core divisions.
• Division Officer of Command Dive Locker responsible for 22 divers and over $300K in equipment.
• Assessed and evaluated the effectiveness of the newly developed/experimental Improved Toxicological Agent Protective Suit.