Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Keough was born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. He attended school in New Glasgow and at the Nova Scotia Institute of Technology in Halifax.

He joined The Canadian Cadet Program in 1964 and attended various leadership training courses over the next four summers, as well as a senior leadership course at The Royal Military College in St. Jean, Quebec.

In 1970, Lieutenant Colonel Keough joined the Cadet Instructor Cadre of the Canadian Forces Reserve and remained until 1973 during which time he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, he rejoined in 1984 and has served continuously since.

Lieutenant Colonel Keough has held various staff positions at the Squadron and Corps level and has been the Commanding Officer of 219 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps in New Glasgow and 285 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. He was an instructor with the Regional Cadet Instructors School for three years.  Lieutenant Colonel Keough is a member of the Regional Advisory Board for Officers of the Cadet Instructor Cadre in Atlantic Canada and presently is appointed as the Area Cadet Instructor Cadre Officer Army for Mainland Nova Scotia, as well as the Officer in Charge of the Eastern Nova Scotia Land Training Center.

He has held various staff positions at Greenwood Air Cadet Summer Training Centre and Argonaut Army Cadet Summer Training Center in Camp Gagetown, New Brunswick, where in 2000 he was appointed the Commanding Officer.

Lieutenant Colonel Keough resides in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia with his wife Lee. They have four children Cindy, Wendy, Steven and Christopher, all of who have been involved in the Royal Canadian Army Cadets. Lieutenant Colonel Keough is employed by Canada Post Corporation. He is a member of Normandy Branch # 34 Royal Canadian Legion.