CDR Donald “Oaf” Carter
Executive officer, The Pennsylvania State University
About
CDR Donald Carter, a native of Rochester, NY, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in September 1991. He graduated from Navy Nuclear Power Training class 9215 and was assigned to the first of two instructor tours at Navy Nuclear Power Training Unit (NNPTU), Ballston Spa, NY, from July 1993 to September 1995. He reported to USS SOUTH CAROLINA (CGN-37) from September 1995 to July 1999, completing a deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet AOR in support of Operation Southern Watch. He then served his second staff instructor tour at NNPTU from August 1999 to November 2003 where he earned his designation as a CNET Master Training Specialist. In 2004, CDR Carter received his commission through OCS after earning his undergraduate degree in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.
Career
Upon commissioning to Ensign, he completed training as a Naval Aviator, earning his wings of gold in April 2006. Following the completion of Fleet Replacement Pilot (FRP) training in the SH-60B, he reported to his first aviation assignment as AOPS for the Proud Warriors of HSL-42 from December 2006 to June 2010 completing three deployments to the U.S. 6th Fleet AOR. CDR Carter’s next assignment was to the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center in Fallon, NV.
After completing FRP training in the MH-60S, he served as the OPSO and instructor for the Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor School, where he taught graduate level tactics and procedures to prospective fleet WTIs from September 2010 to September 2013. It was during this time he earned his Master of Business Administration Degree from Northeastern University. He was then assigned as Air OPS for Commander, DESTROYER SQUADRON 40 from October 2013 to November 2014 overseeing multilateral operations during UNITAS 2014 in South America.
After a successful tour at CDS 40, CDR Carter was selected for Aviation Department Head and reported to the Swamp Foxes of HSM-74 from June 2015 to December 2017. As Combat Element OIC in USS NITZE (DDG 94) and Squadron OPSO he deployed to U.S. 5th Fleet AOR in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. CDR Carter then served as the Sea Combat Division Director of Training for Commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center from December 2017 to February 2021 managing the ASW/SUW WTI, AASWO and Sea Combat Commander courses of instruction. After completing MOPC at the U.S. Naval War College, CDR Carter reported to Commander SEVENTH Fleet, Yokosuka, Japan as Exercises Director in May 2021 overseeing over 50 joint and multilateral exercises annually. In June of 2023, CDR Carter assumed the duties as Executive Officer of the Naval ROTC Unit, The Pennsylvania State University.
Awards
His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Award (three awards), and other Campaign and unit awards.
The Executive Officer is also the instructor for NAVSC 201 – Sea Power & Maritime Affairs
CDR Carter can be reached at NROTC-XO@psu.edu