REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (May 15, 2023) – It takes every member of the formation to execute the mission.
From financial analysts to facilities support to safety experts, the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center’s support for the Soldier comes in all forms and fashion. And while engineering might be the Center’s bread and butter, the workforce of 12,000 ranges across many disciplines.
Corey Carter is a prime example of a team member essential to the mission. The Tuscumbia, Alabama native considered a career in medicine or engineering, but the breadth of opportunity available with a business major led him to degrees from Calhoun Community College and Athens State University. Carter joined the Center in 2005 and currently serves as the customer branch chief.
“All the money that comes through DEVCOM AvMC that's reimbursable for projects, labor, materials, testing -- all that comes through my office,” Carter said. “My analysts set that funding up and make it available for our engineering staff and various other personnel to charge to.”
Holding the Center’s figurative checkbook is a big responsibility, especially for an organization with a total revenue of $4.5 billion. But for Carter, “Everything runs on the rails of relationships. I have an opportunity to be a mentor, but also to learn things from people themselves. That is really what I love about the job most.”
When not at work, Carter, a newlywed, enjoys spending time with his wife. He also can do a mean karaoke. Carter’s karaoke repertoire is sure to soon include lullabies with the addition of a baby boy due to arrive in summer of 2023.
“It's starting to warm up so I own a few motorcycles -- I love to run motorcycles. I am also very involved with my church and work with youth there. And of course, there are a lot of projects in preparation for the baby, so I don’t know about free time!” he said with a laugh.
As a leader for the Center, Carter usually shares three key points with new members, sometimes not just new to DEVCOM AvMC but also new to a professional environment.
“First, you want to learn your job,” he said. “But then when you learn what to do, learn why you do it -- that's number two. Why do you do this? A lot of times it's easy, you know that after A comes B, but you need to know how it all fits. Then after that, I always say once you know what to do, why you do it, then -- do it well. If you do your job well, people above you will notice you. And you will get opportunities. You'll earn favor.
“You can make your career whatever you want it to be -- but you got to go after it.”
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The DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center, headquartered at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the Army’s research and development focal point for advanced technology in aviation and missile systems. It is part of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM), a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Futures Command. AvMC is responsible for delivering collaborative and innovative aviation and missile capabilities for responsive and cost-effective research, development and life cycle engineering solutions, as required by the Army’s strategic priorities and support to its Cross-Functional Teams.
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