Born in Orange, California and raised in New England and Florida, Master Chief Carter graduated from Vero Beach High School in June 1986. As a high-school senior, he enlisted in the United States Navy and reported for recruit training in San Diego, California, following high school graduation.  Master Chief Carter holds an Associate of Science in Electronics Technology from University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies (Summa Cum Laude) from Excelsior College and is a graduate of the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 124 Blue), Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat Course (Class 38), Shore Station Senior Leadership Course (Class 1102), the Keystone Command Senior Enlisted Leader Course (Class 09-1), and the Navy Senior Leader Seminar.

Master Chief Carter completed Data Systems Technician Class ‘A’ and ‘C’ schools before reporting to USS Virginia (CGN 38) in Norfolk, Virginia, where he served as the Data Display Work Center Supervisor. His subsequent sea and overseas duty assignments include: Patrol Wings Pacific Detachment Adak, Alaska as Maintenance Department LPO; Plankowner of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) as a Division LPO/LCPO; SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team TWO as the Tech Support Division Officer, MWR Officer and Command Fitness Leader; Naval Special Warfare Development Group as the Electronics Material Officer; and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) as a Division LCPO. Deployments include service in the Arabian Gulf, Caribbean, Western Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Afghanistan.

Ashore, he served as the Maintenance LPO and an Installer/Trainer for the Streamlined Automated Logistics Transmission System (SALTS) Project at the Naval Inventory Control Point (NAVICP) Philadelphia. While assigned to the NAVICP, he deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina in support of Operation JOINT ENDEAVOUR and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during the Cuban Refugee Crisis.

His command master chief tours include Maritime Civil Affairs Squadron TWO, Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center, Naval Station Norfolk, USS George H. W. Bush (CVN77), and Navy Region Hawaii.

In October 2017, Master Chief Carter reported to his final assignment as the Force Master Chief for Naval Information Forces where he served as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the 3-Star Commander.  In this role he was responsible for the training, employment, and welfare of the roughly 56,000 Information Warriors in the Navy.  

Master Chief Carter retired from the Navy on 1 April 2021 with more than 34 years of service.  He and his wife Terri now reside in their adopted hometown of Dunlap, Tennessee.  They have two adult sons who are currently serving in the United States Navy.

Along with multiple unit and campaign awards, Master Chief Carter’s personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (seven awards), and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. He is qualified as an Enlisted Information Warfare Specialist, Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, Expeditionary Warfare Specialist, and Small Craft Officer in Charge and is designated as a Naval Parachutist.  During his last six months on active duty, Master Chief Carter served as the "Old Tar” which is the distinction given to the Navy’s longest serving Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist.