Armed Forces Alumni Spotlight
Wendi Bryan Carpenter '76

Rear Admiral Carpenter is the daughter of a career non-commissioned Air Force Officer (NCOIC) and was raised throughout the United States. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Georgia with a major in Psychology and has pursued graduate studies in Marketing.

Rear Admiral Carpenter began her naval career in October 1977, when she reported to Aviation Officer Candidate School, NAS Pensacola, Fla., with Class 19-77. She was designated a Naval Aviator in July 1979 and was assigned as the Navy's first Selectively Retained Graduate Instructor Pilot (SERGRAD) in the T-44 aircraft at VT-31, NAS Corpus Christi, Texas.

Following her tour as an instructor pilot, Rear Admiral Carpenter was ordered to sea duty at VQ-3 (TACAMO), NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii, where she served as a Mission Commander and Aircraft Commander and Instructor Pilot in the EC130F/G/Q aircraft. She deployed throughout the Pacific and the western U.S. and Alaska in support of the nation's strategic nuclear triad.

After completing a shore assignment at the Naval Military Personnel Command as an Aviation Junior Officer Assignments Officer, Rear Admiral Carpenter left active duty and accepted a reserve commission in February 1985.

Rear Admiral Carpenter's Executive Officer assignments include: COMCARGRU Four 0466, NAF CINCUSNAVEUR Joint Task Force Headquarters Unit DET 513, and NR COMSIXTHFLT DET 802.

Rear Admiral Carpenter's Reserve Unit Commanding Officer assignments include: Officer in Charge of VR 506 and CINCUSNAVEUR DET 108. Under her leadership as Commanding Officer of Reserve Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Fleet Readiness and Logistics (DCNO N4 106), the 75 member CNO staff unit shared the FY01 DON CIO Award for "E Business" in government. She also had a follow-on Command tour with Naval Reserve Joint Force Air Component Commander (JFACC) 0186, assigned to Commander SECOND Fleet.

Rear Admiral Carpenter's Flag assignments include: Deputy Commander of Navy Region Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla. from October 2004- September 2005, acting Director, OPNAV N31 (Information, Plans, Security Division) from April 2005-May 2005, and Vice Director, Standing Joint Forces HQ (SJFHQ), U.S. Joint Forces Command from December 2004-September 2006.

Rear Admiral Carpenter currently serves as Deputy Commander, SECOND Fleet.

Rear Admiral Carpenter's awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (2 awards), Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (5 awards), Navy Achievement Medal, and various units awards. She has accumulated over 3500 military flight hours. Rear Admiral Carpenter is a distinguished graduate of the Naval War College and completed Capstone with class 06-02. Additionally, she has completed executive programs and Reserve Component courses at the National Defense University, UNC Chapel Hill, and Defense Acquisition University.