James D. Carter

Senior Master Sergeant James D. Carter, Retired Senior Master Sergeant James D. Carter was the First Sergeant of the 434th Maintenance Squadron, 434th Air Refueling Wing at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind. He advised the commander on matters influencing the health, morale, welfare, effective utilization, readiness, good order and discipline, and general supervision of more than 175 personnel within the squadron and served as the commander’s representative to numerous committees, councils, boards, and military and civilian functions. The First Sergeant served as the spokesperson and liaison between the enlisted force and the commander.

Sergeant Carter enlisted and left for Basic Military Training in the United States Air Force one month after graduating College in 1986 and was assigned to the 91st Aerial Port Squadron, O’Hare ARB, IL after technical school as a Air Cargo specialist. Upon the base closure of O’Hare ARB, Sergeant Carter decided to continue his Air Force career as a Ramp Services manager at Maxwell AFB, AL. For several years Sergeant Carter commuted between Chicago and Maxwell, AFB, AL until the opportunity to become a First Sergeant presented itself. In 2003, he was extremely fortunate to be selected as the First Sergeant for the 434th Security Forces Squadron, after successfully meeting the First Sergeant Selection Board. Since being selected as a First Sergeant, Sergeant Carter has worked tirelessly for his Airmen.

In 2006, Sergeant Carter was chosen as the First Sergeant for the Logistics Readiness squadron. He has served as the President of the Grissom First Sergeants Council and worked tirelessly as an advocate for many of the 434th ARW organizations, including the 434th Rising Six and 434 Maintenance Squadron Top Three. Sergeant Carter also served as the First Sergeant for the 434th Maintenance Squadron. Sergeant Carter worked in Bureau of Organized Crime – Narcotics Division as an investigative Police officer with the Chicago Police Department.

Dr. Carter is currently the Director for the Breakfast Group’s Project MISTER Program. Previously he was the Director of Corporate Security and Safety for Alaska Airlines. In addition to being very active in his community, Sergeant Carter received his DBA in Business Administration from Argosy University, Chicago, IL, and also holds an MS in Business Management from Saint Xavier University, Chicago, IL, an MBA in Business Administration from Saint Xavier University, Chicago, IL, and a BA in Political Science, Chicago State University, Chicago, IL.