ARMED FORC-ES

CHANGE OF COMMAND CSM DEMITA VITAL

The Kingdom News7.30.17

The Battalion remained on inactive status until 4 September 1964, when Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 11th Signal Group, assigned to Fort Lewis, Washington, was activated. The group was reorganized and re-designated Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 11th Signal Group, 25 April 1966. The following December, the group was reassigned to Fort Huachuca, Ariz. and designated on 1 October 1979 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 11th Signal Brigade.

Sis. Demita V. Vital, a “little ole’ girl from Jacksonville, Florida” , never thought God would bless her this way. She is a wife, mother and a U. S. Army soldier. She is married to Keith Vital and they have four children: Lanecia, Lakecia, Taneya and Troy. Her husband Keith served in the U. S. Army and is her model, mentor and motivator. He retired in 2006 and continues to support her in her career.

She and her family has been a member of Christian House of Prayer since October 1995. Even though her career takes her to several different assignments, she always finds her way back to her church home. Since 1995, she has been and continues to

serve faithfully on the Usher & Greeter’s Ministry. She’s a servant-leader that knows how to submit under authority even though she’s one of authority. Sis. Vital does not like to talk about herself. Some days she cries because of the blessings of God. She say she has to serve because God has been faithful to her and she loves Him. So, being connected to CHOP and planted in this ministry helped her to be where she is today. What has and still is being sown into her through this ministry has rooted her in faith and she is humbled and grateful.

Demita enlisted in the United States Army in May 1989. She graduated from Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and completed Advanced Individual Training as a Tactical Telecommunications Operator (72E) at Fort Gordon, Georgia.

It’s important to know the history of the 11th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade in order to understand Sister Vital’s military journey. It is as follows:

The Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 11th Signal Brigade, was constituted on 1 September 1943 as the 3103rd Signal Service Battalion and activated 20 December 1943 at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. The Battalion departed for England on 23 January 1944 and to France on 31 August 1944 in support of the war efforts. During World War II, the Battalion received campaign credit for Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe. After returning to the United States, the Battalion was inactivated at Fort Monmouth on 8 October 1945.

INTEGRITYDUTY SERVICE

On 1 October 2009, the 11th Signal Brigade transferred command authority from the United States Army Network Enterprise Technology Command (NETCOM) at Fort Huachuca, to the U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) and III Corps at Fort Hood, Texas. The 11th Signal Brigade is geographically dispersed with the 11th Signal Brigade’s Headquarters, 57th and 62nd Expeditionary Signal Battalions and the 16th Tactical Installation Networking (TIN) Company located on Fort Hood, the 86th Expeditionary Signal Battalion on Fort Bliss, while the 40th Expeditionary Signal Battalion is on Fort Huachuca.

Thunderbirds have supported contingency operations and training exercises at home and abroad in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Somalia, Egypt, Honduras, Korea, Cuba, Haiti, Iraq and Afghanistan.

This operational tempo has given rise to the Thunderbirds’ claim of the “Most active Signal Brigade in the Army.”

CSM Vital has completed many assignments which includes: Tactical Telecommunications Operator, Alpha Company, 121 Signal Battalion, Fort Riley, Kansas; Communications Security Clerk, HHC, 66th Maintenance Battalion, Kaiserslautern, Germany; Administrative Services Division Clerk, HHC, 21st TAACOM, Kaiserslautern, Germany; Senior Communications Security Clerk, HHC, 3rd Signal Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas; Communications Security Custodian, HHC, 307th Signal Battalion, Camp Carroll, Korea; Platoon Sergeant, Assistant COMSEC Custodian and Information Services Supervisor, HHC, 4th Infantry Division G-6, Fort Hood, Texas; Information Systems Staff NCO, HHC, 41st Signal Battalion, Camp Coiner, Korea; Communications Security Custodian, Multi-National Corps-Iraq C-6; Communications Security Custodian, HHC, III Corps G-6, Fort Hood, Texas; First Sergeant, United States Army Garrison, Camp Humphreys, Korea; First Sergeant, 268th

Network Support Company, Fort Hood, Texas; Special Troops Battalion Sergeant Major, 504th Battlefield Surveillance Battalion (BfSB) Special Troops Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas; G6 Sergeant Major, 8th Army, Yongsan, Korea G6 Sergeant Major, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss Texas and Battalion Sergeant Major 56th Signal Battalion, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

CSM Vital’s military education includes all levels of the Noncommissioned Officer Education System. She is a graduate of the Standardized Communications Custodian Course, Local Communications Security Management Course, Equal

INTEGRITYDUTY SERVICE

Opportunity Management Course, First Sergeant Course and the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, Class 63. She is a graduate of Troy University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and a graduate of Trident University International with a Master’s Degree in Information Technology.

Her military awards include the Bronze Star Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and various deployment and campaign ribbons.

Demita was promoted to Sergeant Major in 2013, Command Sergeant Major in 2014, where she was commanding a bat-talion of 500-800 soldiers. She recalled the scripture, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer perse-cution. (2 Timothy 3:12)”. Against all odds, and negativity of others telling her she would not be stationed at Fort Hood again, she trusted and believed God and returned here on February 1, 2017.

On Resurrection Sunday, March 27, 2016, CSM Vital was believing God for her opportunity to be appointed as a Brigade Command Sergeant Major. She and her husband Keith walked around the land where the 11th Signal Brigade headquarters was located. On July 14,2017 she became the incoming Brigade Command Sergeant Major of the 11th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade at Fort Hood, Texas. Of all the years that the Signal Brigade has been around, she is

the second African-American female to take command. CSM Vital is now commanding 2400 soldiers where she will lead from the front by example, taking care of soldiers and their families. CSM Vital say that this assignment and the star she received is not for her; it’s for the soldiers and their families. Her response to them is “How may I help you? and “How may I serve you?” She gives all honor and glory to God for the wisdom and strength that He’s bestowed upon her. She remarked in her acceptance speech, “It’s through His grace that I’m able to stand where I am today. It’s in Him that I live, move and have my being”. She counted it an honor to be back at the Great Place, Fort Hood, Texas.

CSM Vital thanks her mother, Joan Kennedy, sister Tarvia Massey, Johnette Hickson, best friend from high school, family & friends from near and from far, and last but not least, Bishop Nate & Valerie Holcomb and her CHOP family for their prayers and support during this special event.

This woman of God is the epitome of faith and humility. When you meet her, you will sense the peace and love of God. She’s a great example of what a Son of God looks like; one that gives of herself to help promote the Gospel. Congratulations to CSM Demita Vital on this very pivotal assignment in her career. To God Be The Glory!

STRAIGHT GATE INTERNATIONAL CHURCH IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN

Andrew Merritt is a bishop, author, city statesman, business

owner and visionary leader. In 1978, he and his wife Pastor

Viveca Merritt founded the Straight Gate International Church

in Detroit, Michigan. The church has experienced phenomenal

growth -- from three members in 1978 to eight church moves to

serve the needs of the emerging congregation of more than 6,000

today.

A respected minister and community leader, Bishop Merritt has

prayed with Presidents Clinton and Bush as well as Michigan’s

former governor Jennifer Granholm. Bishop Merritt served as

co-chair of the International Mandela Freedom Tour to the City of

Detroit, 1990. In 2004 he and his wife launched the international

annual conference, One In Worship that gathers thousands from

the body of Christ in one accord for the sole purpose of praise

and worship. Merritt’s family-managed record company, M&M

Entertainment and Bajada Records, has produced numerous

ANDREW MERRITTBISHOP

Gospel and inspirational

recordings as well as Stellar-

nominated hits.

Bishop Merritt received

a Bachelor’s Degree in

theology from the Church of

Christ Bible College in New

Rochelle, NY, a Master’s

Degree of Theology from

New Covenant Theological

Seminary in New York, and

an Honorary Doctorate of

Ministry from Logos Graduate

School in Jacksonville, Fl.

A family based minister; he

is the proud father of six

children, ten grandchildren

and three great grandchildren.

He has authored seven

books. He is a pastor of

pastors. Bishops and pastors

nationwide acknowledge

Bishop Merritt as their

spiritual father and covering

in the ministry because of the

anointing on his life.

Elder Cheryl Gary 254-526-9799

409 N. Gray St.Killeen, TX 76541

Minister Karen Williams254-547-3348

916 West HWY 190Copperas Cove, TX 76522

Village Square2904 E. Stan Schlueter Loop

Killeen, TX 76542

The Theat Vi� age Market

Contact:

SHOP. EAT. ENJOY

August 5, 2017

9 AM - 2 PM

BabyDedicationSUNDAYAUGUST 20, 201710:00 A.M.KILLEEN LOCATION

L O , C H I L D R E N A R E

A N H E R I TA G E O F

T H E L O R D :

P S A L M 1 2 7 : 3 A K J V

The Cathedral of Central Texas-Christian House of Prayer Presents the

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with

wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

CONFERENCE

SoaringSingles

September 8-10, 2017

Friday, September 8th at 7:00 p.m. in Cove LocationMinister Danny Goodrum

Saturday, September 9th at 9:00 a.m. in Cove LocationHealth & Finance Workshops

Minister Sherrina Stewart & Minister David Reid

Sunday, September 10th at 10:00 a.m. in Killeen LocationMinister Elaine Moore

The Kingdom News is a publication of The Cathedral of Central Texas - Christian House of Prayer3300 East Stan Schlueter Loop, Killeen, TX 76542 phone: 254-547-3348