Captain Armel was born on 5 May 1931 in Topeka, Kansas.  Upon graduation from Woodrow Wilson High School, Washington, D.C. in June 1949, he entered the Naval Academy via a Naval Reserve appointment.  He was a 1953 graduate of the United States Naval Academy.

Following assignments on the USS Hickox (DD 673), Flag Lieutenant for COMDESLANT (Commander Destroyers Atlantic Fleet), and Gunnery Officer of the USS Wren (DD 568), he attended Naval Intelligence School in June 1960.  He then served in the Office of Naval Intelligence, as Executive Officer of the destroyer USS Turner Joy, and Commanding Officer of destroyer escort USS Evans (DE 1023) in Southeast Asia from 1963-65.

In April 1965 he reported to the office of Chief of Naval Operations for duty in the Strategic Plans Division.  Then, in May 1966, Captain Armel became personal aide and assistant for JCS matters to Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Plans and Policy).

Captain Armel commanded the guided missile destroyer USS Waddell (DDG 24) from 1967-69.  Later assignments included attendance at the Naval War College, service as Senior Naval Advisor in Vietnam in 1972-73, and Commanding Officer of the destroyer tender USS Piedmont in the Mediterranean and Atlantic.  He retired in 1983.

His decorations include the Naval Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars with Combat "V" and two Air Medals.

Captain Armel died on 15 November 1989 and is interred in Arlington National Cemetery.