Captain Jonathan A. Carter
Captain Carter assumed command of USCGC STONE in June 2023. Before returning to the cutter fleet, he completed consecutive staff assignments at Coast Guard Headquarters serving as the Chief of Enlisted Personnel Management and the Deputy Chief of Cutter Forces.
A proud Cutterman, Captain Carter has completed six tours of duty at sea. His command tours include: USCGC AQUIDNECK, USCGC PEA ISLAND, and USCGC LEGARE. His other afloat assignments include: Deck Watch Officer, USCGC MIDGETT; Executive Officer, USCGC KEY BISCAYNE; and Executive Officer, USCGC TAMPA. He also served as the 2014 African Maritime Law Enforcement Partnership Officer-in-Charge, conducting fisheries enforcement operations in the Gulf of Guinea while deployed on board JHSV-1 SPEARHEAD for the ship’s maiden operational deployment.
Captain Carter has vast experience working in joint and interagency settings. He served as a Politico-Military Affairs Officer on the Joint Staff (J5), where his responsibilities included developing and promoting strategic policy initiatives and advising senior Department of Defense (DoD) leaders and National Security Council staffers on Maritime Homeland Security and Maritime Homeland Defense operations. He served as a Coast Guard Liaison Officer to the J3 at Joint Force Headquarters – National Capitol Region, where he advised DoD and interagency partners on Coast Guard capabilities, developed and implemented maritime incident action plans for National Special Security Events, and synchronized the efforts of federal, state, local and civilian port partners in developing effective consequence management plans. His other staff assignments include service as the first Coast Guard representative to the President’s Emergency Operation Center at the White House, and as a Coast Guard Liaison Officer to the Department of Homeland Security Operations Center.
Captain Carter is a graduate of Sam Houston State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. Additionally, he holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Policy from the U.S. Naval War College and Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Marine Corps War College. While attending the Naval War College, he was a Vice Admiral Samuel L. Gravely Warrior Scholar, conducting advanced research in the field of Undersea Warfare.
Captain Carter received his commission from the Coast Guard’s Officer Candidate School in 2000. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, and various other personal and unit awards. He is most proud of his Coast Guard “E” Ribbon and unit awards because they recognize the participation and accomplishments of all his shipmates.