Maj Carter hails from South Carolina. He graduated from James Madison University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. After receiving his degree, Maj Carter attended Officer Candidate School in 2009, commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps upon graduation.
After graduating The Basic School, Maj Carter reported to Headquarters and Service Battalion, MCB Quantico for French language training with the Center for Advanced Operational Culture Learning.
In January 2011, Maj Carter reported to NAS Pensacola, Florida for initial pilot flight training. Maj Carter subsequently completed primary flight training with VT-3 aboard NAS Whiting Field, Florida and advanced flight training with VT-7 aboard NAS Meridian, Mississippi. He winged as a Naval Aviator in March 2013 and reported to VMFAT-101 at MCAS Miramar, California for training in the F/A-18. Following designation as an F/A-18 pilot in December 2014, he was assigned to VMFA-312 at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina.
During his first tour with the Checkerboards, Maj Carter deployed to the Western Pacific in support of the Unit Deployment Program and aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt with CAG-17 in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. During his tour, he served as the Ground Safety Officer, Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) Officer, Powerline Division Officer in Charge, and Assistant Operations Officer. Maj Carter was designated as a Section Lead, Division Lead, Post Maintenance Check Flight Pilot, Wing Qualified Landing Signal Officer, and certified as a Fighter Attack Instructor.
In September 2018, Maj Carter reported to VMFA(AW)-242 aboard MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. While at the Bats, he served as the Communications Officer and Pilot Training Officer. Maj Carter earned his designation as a Mission Commander, NATOPS Instructor, Instrument Instructor, and was certified as a Low Altitude Tactics Instructor and Marine Division Tactics Instructor.
Following his tour at VMFA(AW)-242, Maj Carter reported back to MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina in December 2020 for duty at his current command, VMFA(AW)-224. At the Bengals, he was certified as a Night Systems Instructor and served as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer. Maj Carter deployed as part of a Dynamic Force Employment to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.
Maj Carter currently serves as VMFA(AW)-224’s Executive Officer. His personal awards include the Air Medal (Strike/Flight), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal