Lieutenant Charles S. Ciccolella is the Assistant Secretary for Veteran's Employment and Training Service (VETS) at the U.S. Department of Labor. VETS is the agency responsible for helping veterans make the transition from the military to good civilian jobs and for protecting their employment rights and benefits.

Prior to coming to the Department of Labor, he served for four years in the U.S. Senate, first as the Chief of Operations for the Senate Sergeant At Arms, and later as the Director of Information Technology Policy for the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. He also served as the Deputy Capitol Coordinator for the Joint Congressional Inaugural Committee and helped plan the 2001 Inaugural Ceremony.

Before coming to the Senate, Charles served as an Assistant Director on the national staff of the American Legion, the nation's largest veteran's service organization. He is a member of American Legion Post 68 in Washington, DC.

Charles spent 28 years in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1996. Before leaving the Army as an Infantry Colonel, he was the Senior Military Advisor for the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency at the Department of State. He began his military service as an infantry Lieutenant, after graduating from Auburn University. He served with the 101st Airborne Division during Vietnam in 1969-1970. During his military career, he held many troop command and staff positions including high level joint service staff.

His awards include the Silver Star, the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Bronze Star of Valor. He is a recipient of the Department of State's Superior Honor Award. He holds a Master's in Business Management and Supervision from Central Michigan University and is a graduate of the National War College.

Charles and his wife, Donna, make their home in Alexandria, Virginia. Donna works for the Drug Enforcement Administration. Their daughter Connie is a contracting manager with the General Service Administration.