Colonel Jerrold John Scharninghausen was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School Class 3-87 at Fort Benning, Georgia on 25 June, 1987. His first duty assignment was as Platoon Leader, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 197th Infantry Brigade, Fort Benning, Georgia.

His notable duty assignments include: Instructor and Assistant S-3, United States Army Marksmanship Unit, Fort Benning, Georgia; Medical Entomologist, 10th Medical Laboratory, Landstuhl, Germany; Executive Officer, 71st Medical Detachment, Grafenwoehr, Germany; Medical Entomologist, Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine Europe, Landstuhl, Germany; Medical Entomologist, Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine North, Fort Meade, Maryland; Medical Entomologist, Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, Aberdeen, Maryland; Theater Preventive Medicine Officer, Headquarters, North American Treaty Organization Stabilization Force, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Preventive Medicine Officer, Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, Aberdeen, Maryland; Medical Entomologist, Public Health Command South, Fort McPherson, Georgia; and Preventive Medicine Officer, Public Health Command, Aberdeen, Maryland.

His military education includes: Training Developer Course, Principles of Military Preventative Medicine, Combined Arms Service and Staff School, and Command and General Staff College.

His highest military awards and decorations include: Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award), Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award), Joint Meritorious Unit Award (4th Award), Meritorious Unit Citation Award, Army Superior Unit Award, Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge.