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Colonel Merrie Knightly's Civil Air Patrol career began in September of 2000 when she joined the 35th Composite Squadron in Bangor, Maine with her husband and then 13 year old son. At that time major changes were happening in the Emergency Services area of CAP and the squadron needed an Emergency Services Officer to usher in these changes so Col Knightly volunteered to take on the task.

After guiding the squadron through the ES changes Col Knightly was asked to move to the position of Director of Emergency Services for Maine Wing under the mentorship of Lt Col Larry Wood the Director of Operations. After Lt Col Wood's untimely death she took over as Maine Wing Director of Operations where she lead the wing through several successful Air Force Evaluations and Guided Training Exercises including two Outstanding ratings.

In 2006 the new Wing Commander, Col Christopher Hayden asked Col Knightly to be his Chief of Staff for Maine Wing where she served until being invited to take the position of Northeast Region Vice Commander North serving the Wings of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Qualified as an Incident Commander, Col Knightly has lead many missions for the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and been the Liaison Officer for one actual air craft accident in Maine Wing working with the Maine State Police.

Col Knightly has attended many CAP leadership trainings including, Region Staff College, Inspector General College and National Staff College. She has a Master Rating in Emergency Services and a Senior Rating in Plans and Programs. Col Knightly is also a member of the NER Critical Incident Stress Management team.

In February 2010 Col Knightly achieved her Level V and received her Gill Robb Wilson Award, the highest level of training for Senior Members in CAP.

Col Knightly is married to Lt Col Ken Knightly, NER Inspector General. Their son Scott is a former C/Maj, now an Officer and a member of Florida Wing serving as the units Communications Officer.