Colonel Charles O. Ashcraft was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School Class 2-61, 14 August 1961. His first duty assignment was Executive Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 3d Brigade, 297th Infantry, Arkansas Army National Guard (ARARNG). | His subsequent duty assignments include: S-1, S-3 Air, and Commanding Officer, HHC, 3d Battalion, 297th Infantry; Aide-de-Camp, Commandant, Liaison Officer, Comptroller, G-2, Assistant G-3, Assistant G-1, G-1, and G-2, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, AR ARNG; United States Army Reserve (USAR) assigned to Federal Emergency Management Agency, ADES, AK; Deputy Chief, Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMassachusetts), United States Army Infantry/Individual Training Center (USAITC); USAR Control Group (Reinforcement); IMA Headquarters, U.S. Army Security Command; and Individual Mobilization Augmentee, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Washington, D.C.