CMDCM(FMF/AW) April D. Merriman

Past Command Master Chief, USS Anchorage (LPD 23)

11 August 2022 Master Chief Merriman is a native of and was raised in Bassett, Virginia. She enlisted in the Navy in December 1997 and reported to Hospital Corpsman “A” School after completion of basic training in Great Lakes, Illinois. 

Following graduation, she reported to Naval Hospital Yokosuka, Japan. Her other shore tours include Naval Medical Center San Diego, as an Instructor at Field Medical Training Battalion, as a Recruit Division Commander at Recruit Training Command, and Naval Hospital Naples, Italy. 

Her sea tours include 1st Force Service Support Group, 9th Communication Battalion, 1st MEF Headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and as the CMC of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron SEVEN EIGHT. 

Her deployments include three tours to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and one tour to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. She also completed a recent Western Pacific deployment as part of the “Air Wing of the Future” embarked aboard the USS CARL VINSON (CVN70) where her squadron was awarded the 2021 Battle “E”.

Master Chief Merriman holds an Associate of Science degree with Vincennes University and is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science with Thomas Edison State University. She is an Honor Graduate of Senior Enlisted Academy Class 191 (Khaki) and a graduate of CMC/COB Course 206.