SGM Clayton Merritt

SGM Clayton Merritt served admirably in a variety of demanding positions throughout his storied career in crucial assignments such as an Ammunition Inspector with the 229th Attack Helicopter Battalion, the 267th Chemical Ammunition Company, 24th Ordnance Company, and culminated his career with selection to 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment- Delta (Delta Force).

SGM Merritt left a lasting impact on the Ordnance Corps with the development and coordination of an eight week training certificate program created to address operational gaps across the Ammunition Specialist career field. He enhanced ammunition operations by developing the web-based Ordnance Management System (OMS) for ammunition accountability and real-time worldwide asset visibility; OMS gained HQDA accreditation and approval in 2013. He developed a work partnership with Joint Munitions Command and Defense Ammunition Center to create the first automated Spent Brass Sorter (SBS), which greatly reduced the manual labor required for residue separation and turn in. He also provided guidance and expertise in the development of real world testing scenarios to demonstrate the logistic efficiencies between wire bound and non-wire bound packaged ammunition; resulting in the US Army re-evaluating the elimination of wire bound packaging.

In 1998, SGM Merritt assumed the role as Ammunition Sergeant Major for 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment- Delta (Delta Force). Being the first ammunition Sergeant Major in special operations, SGM Merritt was responsible for coordinating worldwide operational ammunition support for their missions worldwide. He was responsible for developing future contingency operations in concert with HQDA G4, CENTCOM, AFRICOM, EUCOM, JMC, and ARCENT to ensure strategic success.

With the accumulation of 12 operational deployments in support of the national mission force, SGM Merritt’s expertise in ammunition capabilities and logistics not only led to operational success, but influenced Ordnance Corps ammunition personnel of all ranks and grades to strive for excellence and greater responsibility in their career field.

His major awards include but are not limited to the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Meritorious Service Medal.

SGM Merritt retired in 2014.