Brig. Gen. Ivory D. Carter is the Deputy Commander of the Department of Defense Cyber Defense Command. As the DCDC Deputy Commander, he leads command and control of DODIN Operations and Defensive Cyberspace Operations – Internal Defense Measures synchronizing DODIN defense actions and synthesizing global intelligence sharing to deter adversary attacks to enable power projection, freedom of action and mission assurance across all warfighting domains.
Brig. Gen. Carter began his Air Force career as an enlisted Information Manager in 1990. In 1994, he was selected for the Reserve Officer Training Corps and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1996 after completing his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.
His staff experience includes serving as Action Officer and Executive Officer at Headquarters Air Combat Command and Action Officer and Liaison Officer to the Joint Staff, United States Strategic Command. Fully joint qualified. Prior to his present assignment, Brig. Gen. Carter was assigned to the Brooking Institution in Washington, D.C. as a National Defense Fellow. He was selected from a small number of carefully chosen field-grade officers to attend the Brookings Institution. Here he gained insight into civilian defense policy & corporate communities where he broadened his perspectives and developed critical skills as a strategic & creative thinker.
EDUCATION
1996 Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice, University of Nebraska, Omaha
1996 Basic Personnel Officer Course, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.
2000 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2002 Master of Science, Business Administration, Bellevue University, Bellevue, Neb.
2006 Advanced Communications Officer Training, Scott AFB, Ill.
2007 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2008 Joint Professional Military Education II, Norfolk, Va.
2011 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2016 Master of Arts, Economics, American University, Washington, D.C.
2017 National Defense Fellow, Brookings Institution, Washington, D.C.
2018 Certificate in Public Leadership, Brookings Institution, Washington, D.C.
2018 Certificate of Policy Strategy, Brookings Institution, Washington, D.C.
2021 Enterprise Leadership Seminar, Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
2022 Capstone General and Flag Officer Course, National Defense University, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
2023 Cyberspace Operations Executive Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2023 Senior Leader Orientation Course, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
2024 Joint Flag Officer Warfighting Course Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2024 Leading Data & AI-Enabled Organizations, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 1996–July 1997, Chief of Relocations and Separations, 305th Mission Support Squadron, McGuire Air Force Base, N.J.
2. July 1997–July 1999, Executive Officer, 305th Support Group, McGuire AFB, N.J.
3. July 1999–July 2001, Commander, Headquarters Squadron Section/Executive Officer, Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, Ill.
4. July 2001–July 2005, Flight Commander, Space Control Flight, 21st Space Communications Squadron, Peterson AFB, Colo.
5. July 2005–August 2006, Chief, Financial Management, Headquarters Air Combat Command A6, Langley AFB, Va.
6. August 2006–May 2007, Executive Officer, Headquarters Air Combat Command A9, Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, Va.
7. May 2007–July 2009, Action Officer, Headquarters Air Combat Command A9 (Deployed, DISA Central Command, USCENTCOM)
8. July 2009–June 2011, USSTRATCOM/JIOWC LNO to Joint Staff, USSTRATCOM/Joint Information Operations Warfare Center Liaison to Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
9. June 2011–June 2013, Commander, 461st Air Control Networks Squadron, Robins AFB, Ga.
10. June 2013–April 2015, Deputy Commander, 87th Mission Support Group, Joint Base McGuire-Dix- Lakehurst, N.J.
11. April 2015–August 2016, Chief, Commanders Action Group, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
12. August 2016–July 2017, Airpower Strategist (Skunk Works), Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
13. July 2017–July 2018, National Defense Fellow, Brookings Institution, Washington, D.C.
14. July 2018–July 2020, Commander, 96th Mission Support Group, Eglin AFB, Fla.
15. July 2020–June 2023, Director, Legislative Liaison, Fort George G. Meade, Md.
16. July 2023–June 2025, Director, Director of Command, Control, Communications and Cyber (C4) Systems Scott AFB, Ill.
17. June 2025–present, Deputy Commander, Department of Defense Cyber Defense Command, Fort George G. Meade, Md.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
(Current as of June 2025)