Va. - When Maj. The reward Carter received was the Air Force Historical Foundation Award for Most Outstanding Thesis by a Student at the School of Advanced Airpower Studies. After graduating from SAAS, Carter is the director of the Air Combat Command Commander's Action Group. Ala. Less than five percent of eligible volunteers for SAAS are selected by a board of general officers to attend the school. The school focuses on the development of the theory, doctrine and application of airpower at the operational level of war.
Graduates receive a master's degree in airpower art and science.
The competition was conducted in a three-tier format with the final selection made by professors outside the school. By researching numerous articles and periodicals, Carter took six months to investigate whether belief in the offensive nature of airpower can become so strong that it leads to poor doctrine and strategy. The thesis compares what is possible and doable with what we have, and steps to take so we do not fall into that trap. His career has taken him to Texas, South Carolina, England and Nevada. The things Carter has seen and the experience he has gained throughout his career helped with writing the thesis.