11/11/2022
Our first Alumni Spotlight of the semester is Lieutenant Colonel Carpenter! This Howard University graduate has taken the time to answer some questions we wanted Det 130 cadets to reflect on!
What is your AFSC?
I have multiple AFSCs…63A (Acquisitions), 16F (Foreign Area Officer), 64P (Contracting), and I did a brief tour in 38F (Force Support). It’s been an honor to diversify my leadership experience in multiple career fields and with the joint and interagency communities.
Please provide a quick summary of your job and its importance.
I’m currently serving as the Branch Chief and Program Element Monitor for the Global Positioning Systems (GPS) Enterprise. The Space Force is responsible for operating and maintaining the GPS satellite constellation for billions of users worldwide, and my office oversees the GPS enterprise on behalf of the Secretary of the Air Force (and the DoD more broadly). GPS is not only essential to the armed forces, but perhaps has an even greater influence on modern life and the global economy. GPS technology is used in everything from cell phones and watches, to bulldozers, shipping containers, and ATMs. Moreover, GPS boosts productivity across an array of industries to include farming, construction, mining, surveying, package delivery, transportation, and logistical supply chain management. Additionally, major communications networks, banking systems, financial markets, power grids, and emergency and rescue services depend heavily on GPS for precise time and location synchronization.
What is your biggest lesson learned from Det 130?
I’m forever grateful to the cadre and my fellow Det-mates for believing in me more than I did myself; I credit my success in ROTC and beyond, in part, to them. As I look back, perhaps the most important lessons coming out of Det 130 for me were 1) Having positive influences around you matters—whether it be family, friends, mentors, or colleagues. They can often see you in ways you can’t—heed their support and encouragement; 2) Don’t be bound by the limits that others (or society) place upon you; chase your passions and challenge yourself—the only limitation is you