Chief Warrant Officer-3 Villarouel enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in November 1994 and later graduated Recruit Training in January 1995. He was also promoted to Private First Class (PFC, meritoriously) upon boot camp graduation. 

Following completion of recruit training, he attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, NC (PFC) Villarouel reported to Motor Transport School at Camp Johnson, NC during April 1995 and later graduated as a Motor Transport Operator. PFC Villarouel then reported to Headquarters Battalion 3D Marine Division Okinawa, Japan for duty as a motor vehicle operator and was subsequently promoted to Lance Corporal in September, 1995. Lance Corporal Villarouel was then transferred to 2D Tank Battalion, 2D Marine Division Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in June 1996. He was promoted to Corporal in September of that year and was assigned as a dispatcher for the Battalion. In December, 1997 he was promoted to Sergeant and was put in charge of the battalion’s tactical vehicle-licensing program.

Sergeant Villarouel received orders in February 1999 and was subsequently transferred to Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 271, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Cherry Point, NC. While there he served in a variety of billets including Chief Dispatcher at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field (MCALF) Bogue, platoon sergeant, light section leader, heavy section leader, and rifle range NCOIC.

He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in November 2002 and later deployed with MWSS-271 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in February, 2003. In September 2003 Staff Sergeant Villarouel was reassigned to Chemical Biological Incident Response Force (CBIRF) 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (AT) Indian Head, MD to serve as the battalion motor transport operations chief. In February 2004 he deployed to Washington, D.C. in support of Operation Noble Eagle the US Capital Ricin Incident.

In October 2006 Staff Sergeant Villarouel was transferred to MWSS 371, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. Five short months later, in March 2007, he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08. During his tour in Iraq, Staff Sergeant Villarouel was selected to the Warrant Officer Program. From February to May, 2008, he attended the Warrant Officer Basic Course (WOBC) in Quantico, Virginia and upon graduation attended the Motor Transport Maintenance Officer Course at Camp Johnson, North Carolina. Warrant Officer Villarouel received and executed orders to Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Iwakuni, Japan in August, 2008 for duty as the Squadron Motor Transport Maintenance Officer.

In August 2011, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Villarouel was reassigned to 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division to serve as the Regimental Motor Transport Officer. Shortly after his arrival, in December 2011, he was reassigned to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion and later deployed in March 2012, to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 12.1 and 12.2. In April 2014, he executed orders back to 11th Marine Regiment and again served as the Regimental MT Officer until he was reassigned to The Basic School, Quantico, Virginia in July, 2015 where he has served as the Motor Transport Maintenance Officer. He retired honorably in September 2017, after serving almost 23 years.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Villarouel is a graduate of Ashford University and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management. He is also a graduate of Expeditionary Warfare School, Tactical Logistics Operations Course and numerous other military schools. His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars and Combat “V,” the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star, and the Combat Action Ribbon. He has been married to his absolutely extraordinary wife Lisa for over 25 years and she is the mother of their six children; Kevin, Cameron, Jayson, Dylan, Logan, and Madelyn.  

Email: f38905@forsyth.k12.ga.us

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MGySgt Merritt was born June 17, 1968 in Griffin, Georgia. He reported to MCRD Parris Island, SC on December 2, 1987 and was assigned to 2nd Battalion Delta Company for recruit training. Upon completion of recruit training, he reported to MATSC, Meridian MS in March 1988 for his formal MOS training of Aviation Operations Specialist. Upon graduation, he was recognized as the Honor Graduate and meritoriously promoted to Lance Corporal. In June 1988, he reported for duty with VMA-231, MCAS Cherry Point, NC. While assigned to VMA-231, he completed two WestPac Unit deployments and also deployed to Southwest Asia in participation of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. While assigned to VMA-231, he was also meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal.

In July 1994, MGySgt Merritt received orders and reported to the Basic Recruiters Course, MCRD San Diego, CA. Upon completion, he reported to RS Atlanta, RSS Chattanooga, Tn for duty as a canvassing recruiter. During this tour of duty, he enlisted 95 applicants into the Delayed Entry Program. In October 1997, MGySgt Merritt received orders to VMFA(AW)-224, MCAS Beaufort, SC for duty as Operations Chief. While assigned to VMFA(AW)-224, MGySgt Merritt completed a WestPac deployment and also deployed in participation of Operation Cobra Gold 1999.

In January 2000, MGySgt Merritt received orders and reported again to the Basic Recruiters Course, MCRD San Diego, CA. Upon graduation, he reported to RS Atlanta, RSS Kennesaw, Ga for duty as a canvassing recruiter. During this tour of duty, he enlisted 20 applicants into the Delayed Entry Program over a 5 month period, resulting in him being awarded the Centurion Award (100 enlistees in the USMC). In October 2000, MGySgt Merritt was reassigned as the SNCOIC of RSS Atlanta. As the SNCOIC of RSS Atlanta, he received Small Station of the Year for the RSS's superior performance. MGySgt Merritt was again reassigned in October 2001 as the SNCOIC of RSS Jonesboro.

In April 2003, MGySgt Merritt received orders to Recruiters School, MCRD San Diego, CA as an instructor. During this tour of duty, he was selected as Top Instructor "Small Group" in October 2003. MGySgt Merritt was reassigned as the Course Head Instructor for Marine Corps Product Knowledge in July 2004. In September 2007, MGySgt Merritt received orders and reported for duty to RS Atlanta, RSS Duluth as SNCOIC. He was reassigned in February 2008 as the Operations Chief. He was selected as the 6th District Operations Chief of the Year for Fiscal Year 2009. In October 2009, MGySgt Merritt was reassigned again to be the Assistant Recruiter Instructor.

In July 2010, MGySgt Merritt received orders to the 6th Marine Corps District Headquarters to assume the billet of the District Training Team Chief. In January 2013, MGySgt Merritt received orders to RS Atlanta to assume the duties as the Recruiter Instructor.

During his tour of duty, RS Atlanta received the Superior Achiever Award for recruiting excellence in Fiscal Year 15. MGySgt Merritt was also elected to the 6th Marine Corps District Career Recruiter Hall of Fame in Fiscal Year 15. MGySgt Merritt retired in February 2015 after 27 years of honorable and faithful service.

MGySgt Merritt's personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second ward, Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second award, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star in lieu of 4th award, and the Good Conduct Medal with Bronze Star in lieu of 9th award.

MGySgt Merritt currently resides in Duluth, Ga with his wife Charline. They have 3 children; Antwan, Brandon, and Jordon.

Email: rmerritt@forsyth.k12.ga.us