Charles James Simmons was born in Bellevue, Texas on September 1, 1925. He attended John Tarleton Agricultural College and the United State Military Academy where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Cavalry. He was later assigned to the faculty of the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York.

 After attendance at the Command and General Staff College he was assigned to the staff of the Eighth United States Army in Korea and later served as the Operations Officer of the 1st Medium Tank Battalion at Fort Hood, Texas. From 1961 - 1963, he served at the United States Military Academy as the Executive Officer of the Department of Social Sciences. In 1964, he assumed command of the 1st Battalion, 33rd Army, 3rd Armored Division. General Simmons served in Vietnam during 1966 - 1967; first on the staff at Headquarters, First Field Forces and then as Executive Officer, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division.

 Upon return to the United States in 1967, he served in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Military Operations, Department of the Army, and on the staff of the Defense Communications Planning Group, Department of Defense. He returned to Europe in 1969 and assumed command of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. On 1 November 1969, he was reassigned as Assistant Division Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division and was promoted to Brigadier General on 1 January 1970, followed by command of the 1st Infantry Division (Forward) in Europe.

 He was promoted in 1973 to Major General and appointed Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Military Operations. General Simmons received his third star (Lieutenant General) in 1978.