Syd Carter served his country honorably at the beginning of the Vietnam War as a member of the United States Marine Corps attached to the USS Oriskany, and was released from service with the rank of Major. Mr. Carter is a former Mayor Pro Tem of the City of University Park, married to Margaret Carter, and has four grown children.

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.), United States Marine Corps

• Present occupation: General Manager, Midstream, Matador Resources
• Family: Wife Laurie, Son Jack, Daughter Samantha
• Education: Central Michigan University (BS, Manufacturing Engineering)
• Experience and Training
  • 22 years active and reserve service, United States Marine Corps
  • US Marine Corps
    • Commissioned a Second Lieutenant in August 1991
  • Attended US Marine Corps Basic School (September 1991 – April 1992)
  • US Naval Aviation Training (June 1992 – April 1994)
    • Winged a “Naval Aviator” in April 1994
  • F-18 “Hornet” Training (1994-1995)
  • Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 the “Death Rattlers” (1996 through 2000)
  • Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 the “Cowboys” (2000 through 2012), held positions as Safety Officer, Operations Officer and Executive Officer
• Combat Deployments
  • USS Constellation in support of Operation Southern Watch to the Persian Gulf (1997, 1999)
  • Al Asad Air Base, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2009)
• Highlights
  • Over 300 carrier arrested landings (over 100 at night)
  • Navy Strike Fighter Weapons School “Top Gun” graduate, (2003)
  • Over 2,800 flight hours in the F-18 Hornet
  • Naval Commendation Award with Combat “V”
  • Three Air Medals for combat missions over Iraq