Colonel James W. Eitel was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School, Class 6-56, 20 June 1956. His first duty assignment was as Platoon Leader, 28th Infantry Regiment, 8th ID, Fort Carson, Colorado. | His subsequent duty assignments include: Company Commander, 17th Infantry, 7th Infantry Division, Korea; Special Forces Advisor, MAAG, Pakistan; Regimental Advisor, MAAG, Vietnam; Department of Army Staff, Washington D.C.; Battalion Commander, 3/11 Infantry 4th ID, Fort Carson, Colorado; Staff, Sergeant Major Academy, Fort Bliss, Texas; Silk Purse Control Group (Aviation Battalion Battle Staff), Mendenhall, England; Inspector General, VII Corps, Stuttgart, Germany; Multinational Force and Observers (Sanai) Planning Staff, Alexandria, Virginia; Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel Special Review Board, Alexandria, Virginia.