First Sergeant Karyl N. Holliday Jr. was born February 9, 1985. He enlisted in the Army in March of 2004 out of Marietta, Georgia. He completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and graduated from Advanced Individual Training at Fort Eisenhower (Fort Eisenhower), Georgia as a 31F Network Switching Systems Operator-Maintainer, in December of 2004. In 2011, he reclassified to become a 25N, Nodal Network Systems Operator-Maintainer.

First Sergeant Holliday has served in every leadership position from Team Chief to First Sergeant. His assignments and positions include: B Co, 440^th Signal Battalion, Cambrai Fritsch Kaserne, Germany (SEN Switching Systems Operator); B Co 442 Signal Battalion, Fort Eisenhower, Ga (Nodal Networking Switching Systems Operator); 228^th Signal Company, 54 Signal Battalion, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait (Senior Info Tech Specialist); HQ/A Co, 551^st Signal Battalion, Fort Eisenhower, Ga (Military Liaison, Operations NCOIC); 519^th Signal Company, 54^th Signal Battalion, Camp Buerhing, Kuwait (Direct Signal Support Team (DSST) NCOIC); Division Signal Company, 123^rd Signal Battalion, 3^rd ID, Ft Stweart, Ga (UHN Nodal Network Systems Supervisor, Forward Command Post Platoon Sergeant, Division Main Platoon Sergeant); 123^rd Division Signal Battalion, 3^rd ID, Ft Stewart, Ga (First Sergeant); Augusta Recruiting Company, Columbia Recruiting Battalion, USAREC, Ft Jackson, SC (Recruiter); Foxtrot Company, 369^th Signal Battalion, 15^th Signal Brigade, Fort Eisenhower, Ga (First Sergeant). He currently serves as the Branch Chief for Bravo Branch, Cyber Center of Excellence Noncmmissioned Officer Academy, Fort Eisenhower, Ga.

He also served one combat tour in Iraq, 2005-2006, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

First Sergeant Holliday’s military education includes: Master Leader Course, Senior Leader Course (Distinguished Honor Graduate), Advanced Leader Course, Warrior Leader Course, Combat Life Saver Course, Army Recruiter Course, Army Basic Instructor Course, Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Certification Course, Master Resilience Trainer Course, Army Basic Instructor Course, and the First Sergeant and Company Commander’s Pre-Command Course.

First Sergeant Holliday’s awards and decorations include: Meritorious Service Medal (2nd award), Army Commendation Medal (6th award), Army Achievement Medal (6th Award), Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), National Defense Service Ribbon, Iraqi Campaign Medal (2 Bronze Campaign Stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 4), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (Numeral 4), Meritorious Unit Commendation and Gold Recruiter Badge. He is also a recipient of the Signal Corps Regimental Association’s Bronze Order of Mercury.

 First Sergeant Holliday and his husband, Dr. Eric Belin De Chantemele, have been married for 8 years and have 2 dogs.