CDR Kristina Carter is a native of Florida, holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Molecular Microbiology with a minor in statistics from the University of Tennessee, a Master in Business Administration from the University of Florida, and a Master of Science in Public Health specialization in Tropical and Emerging Infections Diseases from the University of South Florida. She received her commission as a Lieutenant from Officer Development School in March 2008.
CDR Carter served at the National Naval Medical Center Bethesda, Maryland as Division Officer of the Microbiology and Serology Laboratory, and as an instructor for USUHS Military Tropical Medicine Course providing lectures to clinicians and residents on enteric pathogens. She was accepted for the Navy Medicine Director’s Biological Warfare (BW) Fellowship in 2009 where she spent 18 months supporting the development of biological agent detection systems, and led BW detection training and exercises for SOF and EOD personnel. In addition, she spent six months working in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs assisting with policy development and as a working group participant of Executive Order 13486. Upon completion of the fellowship, CDR Carter accepted orders to Navy Environmental Preventative Medicine Unit FIVE (NEPMU 5) in San Diego, California, and deployed in support of Pacific Partnership 2011 and support of Operation Enduring Freedom from 2012-2013.
Carter transitioned from active duty to reserves in 2014 and was assigned to COMSEVENTHFLT as the senior Medical Planning Officer (2014-2017); supporting Ulchi Freedom Guarding and Key Resolve bilatter exercises with South Korean Forces. CDR Carter was assigned to INDOPACOM as a Medical Planner (POMI) from 2017-2019 supporting OPLANs and Annex Q drafting in direct support of INDOPACOM leadership as well as several white papers for INDOPACOM and SECDEF staff.
CDR Carter was hand-selected as the senior medical operational planner supporting the National Military Command Center J33 COVID Crisis Management Team (CMT) in 2020. CDR Carter provided daily briefings to the CJCS and enabled the Office of the Joint Staff Surgeon to provide critical DoD policy guidance to the SECDEF and Chairman during the global Coronavirus pandemic.
CDR Carter served as Assistant Director for Administration (DFA) and POMI for Expeditionary Medical Facility Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL from 2020-2022 and served as the Director for Administration for Navy Reserve Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Portsmouth (NR NMRTC PTS) in Portsmouth, VA from 2022-2024 during the transition to UMUIC alignment command structure and pivot to EXMED platforms. CDR Carter accepted the position of XO of the 4th Medical Battalion in 2024.
Carter has continued to maintain her professional military education and training throughout her naval career, completing Reserve Component National Security Course (RC NSC) at the National Defense University, Joint Combined Warfighter School- Hybrid (JPME II), Maritime Staff Operators Course (MSOC) at Navy War College, Joint Professional Military Education I (JPME I); Joint Special Operations Operational Planning course; Plan, Operations and Medical Intelligence (POMI) course, and numerous courses in the area of biological warfare detection. CDR Carter’s decorations include a Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and two Navy Achievement Medals.