Colonel Brian Merkl

Unmanned Systems Division Chief US Army

Colonel Brian Merkl commissioned from the United States Military Academy as an Aviation Officer in 2003. He is a Master Army Aviator who served most of his tactical time in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). COL Merkl served numerous positions in the 160th SOAR (Abn) to include assignments in 1st, 3rd, and 4th Battalions and the Special Operations Training Battalion. He most recently served as Battalion Commander for 3rd Battalion, 160th SOAR (Abn) from 2021-2023. In between assignments to the 160th SOAR (Abn), COL Merkl served in various broadening assignments including Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), graduate school at Harvard University as a General Wayne A. Downing Scholar, and Future Operations Branch Chief assigned to Special Operations Command Pacific in Hawaii. COL Merkl graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College in 2014 and the National War College in 2023. COL Merkl has deployed numerous times, totaling approximately four years, to Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, and other global locations. He also spent ten months as the Special Operations Forces Liaison Element Team Leader at the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. COL Merkl holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the United States Military Academy, a Master of Science in Business from the University of Kansas, a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University, and a Master of Science in National Security Strategy from National Defense University. His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross (w/“V” Device), Bronze Star Medal (w/1 OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (w/3 OLC), Air Medal, Master Aviator Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Combat Action Badge. He is married and has a son (11) and a daughter (9).