Rear Admiral Charles A. Williams graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1972, and received his MBA from St. Louis University in 1981 where he later taught in the Business School as an adjunct professor. Earning his commission through Aviation Officer Candidate School his initial assignment was Anti-Submarine Squadron 28 (VS-28) deployed aboard USS America. He later attended Army, Navy and Air Force Defense Courses and Executive Programs at the University of Virginia and Naval Post Graduate School. Williams continued his naval career with diverse assignments in CONUS and overseas units including Joint Service commands and the Secretary of the Navy's Office of Program Appraisal at the Pentagon.