David Carter

David B. Carter
Force Master Chief, United States Navy, Retired
VRT Director | Veteran Advocate

Born in Orange, California and raised in New England and Florida, David enlisted in the United States Navy and reported for Recruit Training in San Diego, California after his high school graduation in 1986. Following completion of Recruit Training, he attended Data Systems Technician Class “A” and “C” schools in Vallejo, California. Upon completion of his training, he reported to his first ship, the USS VIRGINIA (CGN-38), in Norfolk, VA.

In his almost 35 years of service to our country, David served at a variety of commands and in various leadership positions throughout our Navy, eventually applying to and being selected for the Command Master Chief Program in 2007. During his 14 years as a Command Senior Enlisted Leader, he served as the Command Master Chief for Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest Naval Station; the aircraft carrier USS GEORGE H. W. BUSH (CVN 77); and Navy Region Hawaii where he helped manage all the Navy programs and property in the Hawaiian Islands. David culminated his career as the Force Master Chief for the Navy’s Information Warfare community. In this role, he served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to a 3-star Admiral and assisted in the management of the Navy’s roughly 56,000 Information Warriors.

Upon his retirement in 2021, David and his wife Terri moved to their forever home in southeast Tennessee. They have two adult sons, both of whom are serving our country in the Navy.

David 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. During his exemplary Navy career, David received many personal, campaign, and unit awards to include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal (4 awards), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Navy Commendation Medal (4 awards).