Photo By Staff Sgt. Bruno Bego | The twelve members of the U.S. Armed Forces Team march during the opening ceremony for...... read more read more
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CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Dedication and self motivation has taken her places she has always wanted to go. It led her to the United States Naval Academy, and then to the officer ranks of the Navy. It led to her volleyball, and then recently to the Netherlands.
Ensign Abbie J. Merkl is the administrative officer for 2nd Dental Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group. But in June, she took a hiatus from the daily grind to participate in the All-Navy Women’s Volleyball Team camp, which is held at Naval Station Great Lakes, Ill.
“I have wanted to do this for a while now,” Merkl said. “I tried to go last year, but the command couldn’t afford to let me go for six weeks to do it.”
This year was different. Since participants can apply every year, Merkl gave it one more shot.
“First requirement, and the one I think is the toughest, is each individual has to be endorsed by their command,” she expressed. “Each person applying has to make sure their commands are okay with them leaving for an extended period of time.”
Capt. Francisco R. Leal, the commanding officer of 2nd Dental Bn., said Merkl’s outstanding performance played an important role when making the decision of letting her participate in the All-Navy Volleyball Team.
“She functions at a much higher pay grade for her classification as a medical service corps officer,” said Leal. “She has her shop squared away in the sense that she has trained her personnel, so if she is unavailable they would be able to carry on with the mission.”
Leal also highlighted the fact that the battalion’s administrative staff members were also taken in consideration when making the decision for the endorsement.
“It was in the hands of the shop whether she was going to go or not,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Leticia S. Segura, the leading petty officer for the administrative section and one of Merkl’s staff members. “The CO put that responsibility on us. He wanted to know whether the shop was going to be able to operate without her here.”
Segura explained there wasn’t a second of hesitation for them – Merkl’s style of leadership allowed them to operate with or without her present.
Other requirements are a three-year background history in the sport, points of contact – such as old coaches – and a signature from a medical officer stating the individual is in good health.
After getting her command’s approval, she submitted an on-line application. Then the waiting game began. The All-Navy Volleyball Team coaches review all applications and decide the players that are best qualified.
Merkl waited almost six months before receiving a letter. It was an invitation to try out for the team.
“It was very exciting to know that I was offered this opportunity,” she said.
Although applying for the team is open to any sailor, only service members with the right skill set, such as Merkl, are selected. She has nearly ten years of experience in the sport to back her up.
Merkl played throughout her years at Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn, Md., and upon graduation, she was recruited to play volleyball for the United States Naval Academy.
“When I started high school – it was after we just moved to Maryland – so I was going to a new school,” Merkl explained. “My mom told me I should do something during the fall, so I could make friends before the year of school starts. I am tall, so I picked volleyball and I ended up loving it and being good at it.”
Merkl participated in the All-Navy training camp, June 5-20. After making the team, she went on to play in the All-Armed Forces Women’s Volleyball Tournament, June 21-28. They competed against the Marine Corps, Army, Air Force and Coast Guard teams.
“It was a great experience,” said Merkl. “I haven’t played volleyball competitively since I graduated college. It was kind of weird to get back into it, since all I have done around here is play in small tournaments.”
During the All-Armed Forces Tournament, coaches were scouting out the top performers to assemble a team to represent the United States military during the 33rd World Military Women’s Volleyball Championship held in Amsterdam, July 9-17. Merkl’s dedication paid off again.
“I was ecstatic,” she said. “Of course, during the tournament, I was hoping I would be selected, but so are all of the other girls on the teams. I was one of 12 to make the team, and only three of them were from the All-Navy team – so it was a huge honor to be selected.”
Merkl and her teammates packed their bags and headed to the Netherlands to battle against other military teams from Brazil, China, Greece, the Netherlands, Germany and Canada.
Segura explained the pride the members of the shop shared by Merkl participating in the tournaments.
“We were very happy here at the office, especially because she kept communicating with us and updating us on everything that happened,” Segura said. “We were very happy here and very supportive."
“I think it was very inspirational to see her perform at sports as well as she performs at work,” she said.
The US Armed Forces Team placed 6th at the tournament in the Netherlands.
| Date Taken: | 07.30.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 07.30.2012 14:46 |
| Story ID: | 92383 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 256 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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