Airmen of the Burgh: Master Sgt. Merz

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Marjorie A. Bowlden
  • 911th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PITTSBURGH IAP ARS --  As the noncommissioned officer in charge of the Airman and Family Readiness Office at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Master Sgt. Thomas Merz's main functions include supervising and participating in the daily activities of the office. A&FR can help to tackle almost any problem an Airman or their family may face by locating jobs, résumé assistance, pre- and post-deployment briefings and assistance, and maintaining overall financial health and wellbeing.

"We're here to make sure the service member is going to be maintaining their service in a healthy way," said Merz.

Merz is from Virginia Beach, Virginia. Both of his parents were in the Navy, and because of this he moved from Virginia to California before finally settling in Pennsylvania. He and his family have been here ever since. He first joined the military in 1999 to learn valuable life skills and to help launch him toward a civilian career, and he's been an Airman with the 911th Airlift Wing from the beginning. He started as a member of Security Forces Combat Arms and moved to A&FR in 2011.

Merz said that his favorite part of the job is "putting a happy face on the Air Force." By this, he means keeping Airmen stress-free and focused on their job and the mission.

"It's a pleasure to be able to provide something to help them out," he said.

Outside of the military, Merz also enjoys cooking, gardening and home improvement projects.