Ajay Kumar: Created a new article

2023-09-12T13:26:45Z

Created a new article

New page

{{Short description|Kenyan-born senior British Army officer|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{For|other persons of the same name|Nick Carter (disambiguation){{!}}Nick Carter}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox military person
| name = Sir Nicholas Carter
| image = Chief of the General Staff General Sir Nicholas Carter KCB CBE DSO ADC Gen (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Official portrait
| nickname =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1959|02|11|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Nairobi]], [[Kenya Colony|British Kenya]]
| death_date =
| death_place =
| placeofburial =
| allegiance = United Kingdom
| branch = [[British Army]]
| serviceyears = 1978–2021
| rank = [[General (United Kingdom)|General]]
| servicenumber = 505216
| unit =
| commands = [[Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Defence Staff]] (2018–2021) [[Chief of the General Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the General Staff]] (2014–18) [[Commander Land Forces]] (2013–14) [[6th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|6th Division]] (2009–11) [[20th Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom)|20th Armoured Brigade]] (2004–05) 2nd Battalion, [[Royal Green Jackets]] (1998–00)
| battles = [[Bosnian War]] [[Kosovo War]] [[Iraq War]] [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in Afghanistan]]
| awards = [[Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath]] [[Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] [[Distinguished Service Order]] [[Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service]] (2) [[Legion of Merit|Commander of the Legion of Merit]] (United States) [[NATO Medal|NATO Meritorious Service Medal]] (NATO)
| alma_mater = [[Winchester College]] [[Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst]]
| spouse = {{marriage|Louise Anne Ewart|1984}}
| children = 4
| laterwork =
}}
[[General (United Kingdom)|General]] '''Sir Nicholas Patrick Carter''', {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|sep=,|GCB|CBE|DSO}} (born 11 February 1959) is a Kenyan-born former senior [[British Army]] officer who served as [[Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Defence Staff]] from June 2018 to November 2021.

Carter served as commanding officer of 2nd Battalion, Royal Green Jackets in which role he was deployed to [[Bosnia]] in 1998 and [[Kosovo]] in 1999. After service in [[Operation Herrick|Afghanistan]], he took command of [[20th Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom)|20th Armoured Brigade]] in 2004 and commanded British forces in [[Basra]]. He was subsequently appointed [[General Officer Commanding]] [[6th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|6th Division]], which was deployed to [[Afghanistan]] with Carter as Commander [[International Security Assistance Force|ISAF]] [[Train Advise Assist Command - South|Regional Command South]], before he became Director-General Land Warfare. After that he became [[Deputy Commander Land Forces (United Kingdom)|Deputy Commander Land Forces]] in which role he was the main architect of the [[Army 2020]] concept.

Following a tour as Deputy Commander, [[International Security Assistance Force]], he assumed the position of [[Commander Land Forces]] in November 2013. In September 2014, he became head of the British Army as [[Chief of the General Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the General Staff]] succeeding General [[Peter Wall (British Army officer)|Sir Peter Wall]]. In June 2018 he succeeded Air Chief Marshal [[Stuart Peach|Sir Stuart Peach]] as [[Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Defence Staff]], being himself succeeded by Admiral [[Tony Radakin|Sir Tony Radakin]] in November 2021.

==Military career==
===Early career===
Born in [[Nairobi]], [[British Kenya|Colony of Kenya]] the son of Gerald and Elspeth Carter, Carter was educated at [[Winchester College]] and the [[Royal Military Academy Sandhurst]].<ref name=WW>{{cite web|title=CARTER, Gen. Sir Nicholas (Patrick)|work=[[Who's Who (UK)|Who's Who]]|date=2017|url=http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/article/oupww/whoswho/U247442|access-date=15 March 2017|url-access=subscription }}</ref> He was [[Commissioned officer|commissioned]] into the [[Royal Green Jackets]] as [[second lieutenant]] on 8 April 1978, initially holding a short service commission.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=47566 |supp=y|page=7138|date=12 June 1978}}</ref><ref name=bio>{{cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/isaf/structure/bio/rc_s/carter.html|title=Major-General Nick Carter|publisher=ISAF|access-date=22 February 2010}}</ref> Promoted to [[lieutenant]] on 8 April 1980,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=48170 |supp=y|page=6337|date=28 April 1980 |nolink=y}}</ref> he switched to a full career commission in 1982,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=48865 |supp=y|page=796|date=18 January 1982 |nolink=y}}</ref> and was promoted to [[captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|captain]] on 8 October 1984.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=49897 |supp=y|page=13958|date=15 October 1984 |nolink=y}}</ref> As a junior officer he served in [[Northern Ireland]], [[Cyprus]], Germany and Great Britain.<ref name=WW/> Promoted to [[major (United Kingdom)|major]] on 30 September 1991,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=52691 |supp=y|pages=16034–16035|date=21 October 1991 |nolink=y}}</ref> he attended [[Staff College, Camberley]] later that year before becoming a company commander with 3rd Battalion, Royal Green Jackets in 1992.<ref name=WW/> He became Military Assistant to the [[Assistant Chief of the General Staff (United Kingdom)|Assistant Chief of the General Staff]] in 1994 and, having been appointed a [[Member of the Order of the British Empire]] in the [[1996 New Year Honours]],<ref name=mbe>{{London Gazette|issue=54255 |supp=y|page=6|date=29 December 1995 |nolink=y}}</ref> he joined the directing staff at the Staff College later that year.<ref name=WW/>

Carter was promoted [[Lieutenant colonel (United Kingdom)|lieutenant colonel]] on 30 June 1996.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=54453|pages=8911–8912|date=1 July 1996 |nolink=y}}</ref> In 1998 he was appointed [[Commanding Officer]] of 2nd Battalion, Royal Green Jackets in which role he was deployed to [[Bosnia]] in 1998 and [[Kosovo]] in 1999.<ref name=bio/> For his service in Bosnia, he was awarded the [[Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service]] on 7 May 1999.<ref name=":0">{{London Gazette|issue=55477 |supp=y|page=5083|date=6 May 1999 |nolink=y}}</ref> In Kosovo, Carter commanded a group of peacekeepers on a bridge over the [[Ibar (river)|River Ibar]] at [[Kosovska Mitrovica]] where he was tasked with keeping apart thousands of Serbs and Albanians gathered on either side of the bridge. Carter later described the role as being the "meat in the sandwich".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-5058835.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103043634/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-5058835.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 November 2012|title=Mitrovica crisis must be solved 'in two weeks'|last=Whitaker|first=Raymond|date=23 February 2000|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=21 February 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/23/world/serbs-on-edge-after-a-rally-by-albanians-in-a-kosovo-city.html|title=Serbs on Edge After a Rally by Albanians in a Kosovo City|last=GALL|first=CARLOTTA|date=23 February 2000|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=21 February 2010}}</ref> He was advanced to [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] on 3 November 2000.<ref name=obe>{{London Gazette|issue=56017 |supp=y|page=12362|date=3 November 2000 |nolink=y}}</ref>

===High command===
Carter was promoted to [[Colonel (United Kingdom)|colonel]] on 31 December 2000 (with seniority from 30 June)<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=56078 |supp=y|page=14615|date=2 January 2001 |nolink=y}}</ref> and advanced to [[Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] on 29 April 2003, following service in the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]].<ref name=cbe>{{London Gazette|issue=56920 |supp=y|page=5273|date=29 April 2003 |nolink=y}}</ref> He was promoted [[brigadier]] on 31 December 2003 (with seniority from 30 June),<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=57168 |supp=y|page=123|date=6 January 2004 |nolink=y}}</ref> and in 2004 he was given command of [[20th Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom)|20th Armoured Brigade]], commanding British forces in [[Basra]],<ref name="PT">{{cite news|date=23 March 2004|title=Explosion near Baghdad: 15 British Marines Injured|work=The Pakistan Times|url=http://pakistantimes.net/2004/03/23/twt2.htm|url-status=dead|access-date=21 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614061036/http://pakistantimes.net/2004/03/23/twt2.htm|archive-date=14 June 2011}}</ref><ref name="Tele">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/1459998/British-blamed-as-attacks-expose-security-failings.html|title=British blamed as attacks expose security failings|last=Fairweather|first=Jack|date=22 April 2004|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=21 February 2010}}</ref> at one point stating that British forces could be in Iraq for "as long as a decade".<ref name="beeb Iraq">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3640025.stm|title=UN key to Iraq's future – Blair|date=19 April 2004|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=BBC|access-date=21 February 2010}}</ref> On 7 September 2004 he was awarded a further Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service for his service in Iraq.<ref name=":1">{{London Gazette|issue=57402 |supp=y|pages=11250–11251|date=7 September 2004 |nolink=y}}</ref>[[File:Ibar River Bridge Barricaded to Vehicle Traffic - Mitrovica (Serb Side) - Kosovo.jpg|thumb|right|The Ibar River Bridge where Carter commanded a group of peacekeepers]]

Carter became Director of Army Resources and Plans at the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] in 2006 and was given the honorary appointment of Deputy Colonel of [[The Rifles]] on 1 February 2007<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=58345 |supp=y|page=8037|date=5 June 2007 |nolink=y}}</ref> (the successor regiment to the Royal Green Jackets) – a post he held until 1 November 2009.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=59323 |supp=y|page=1679|date=2 February 2010 |nolink=y}}</ref> Promoted to [[Major-general (United Kingdom)|major general]] on 23 January 2009, became [[General Officer Commanding]] [[6th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|6th Division]]<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=58961 |supp=y|page=1334|date=27 January 2009 |nolink=y}}</ref> which was deployed to Afghanistan with Carter as Commander [[International Security Assistance Force|ISAF]] [[Train Advise Assist Command - South|Regional Command South]].<ref name=bio/> In September 2009, referring to the efforts of UK and [[NATO]] forces, Carter said that "time was not on our side".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8262153.stm |title=Time against' Afghanistan forces |publisher= BBC News|date= 18 September 2009|access-date=16 November 2010}}</ref> After returning to the UK in November 2010, he gave an interview in which he warned that "the insurgency is resilient, and alive and well".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/nov/10/afghan-taliban-insurgency-resilient|title=Taliban insurgency alive and well, warns British major general|last=Norton-Taylor|first=Richard|date=10 November 2010|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=16 November 2010}}</ref>

Carter became Director-General Land Warfare early in 2011<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rusi.org/downloads/assets/Land_Warfare_2011_Conference_Programme.pdf|title=Land Warfare Conference Programme 2011|publisher=RUSI|access-date=3 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127040818/http://www.rusi.org/downloads/assets/Land_Warfare_2011_Conference_Programme.pdf|archive-date=27 January 2012}}</ref> and,
having been awarded the [[Distinguished Service Order]] in March 2011,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.warminsterpeople.co.uk/groups/militaryactivities/Warminster-Army-Officers-awarded-honours/story-10876600-detail/story.html|title=Warminster based Army Officers awarded honours|date=25 March 2011|publisher=Warminster People|access-date=15 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425065417/http://www.warminsterpeople.co.uk/groups/militaryactivities/Warminster-Army-Officers-awarded-honours/story-10876600-detail/story.html|archive-date=25 April 2012}}</ref><ref name=dso>{{London Gazette|issue=59737 |supp=y|page=5640|date=25 March 2011 |nolink=y}}</ref> he was promoted to [[lieutenant general]] and appointed Commander Field Army in November 2011<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=59973 |supp=y|page=22333|date=22 November 2011 |nolink=y}}</ref> (the role redesignated [[Deputy Commander Land Forces (United Kingdom)|Deputy Commander Land Forces]] in January 2012).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Army%20Commands%201900-2011.pdf|title=Army Commands|access-date=9 April 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705211343/http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Army%20Commands%201900-2011.pdf|archive-date=5 July 2015}}</ref> He was the main architect of the [[Army 2020]] concept and reported on his recommendations in April 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/9076527/Territorial-Army-not-fit-for-new-role-warn-Generals.html |title=Territorial Army not fit for new role, warns Generals|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=11 February 2012|access-date=11 February 2012}}</ref> He assumed the post of Deputy Commander, [[International Security Assistance Force]] (ISAF), under the command of American general, [[John R. Allen]], in September 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defenceviewpoints.co.uk/defence-news/up-and-out-promotions-leavers-new-jobs-may-2012|publisher= Defence Viewpoints|title= Promotions, leavers, new jobs|date= May 2012|access-date=11 February 2012}}</ref> and, having handed over his command at ISAF in July 2013,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.isaf.nato.int/article/isaf-releases/isaf-welcomes-lt.-gen.-john-g.-lorimer-as-deputy-commander-isaf.html|title=NATO welcomes Lieutenant General John Lorimer as Deputy Commander ISAF|date=July 2013|publisher=ISAF|access-date=21 July 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130713094920/http://www.isaf.nato.int/article/isaf-releases/isaf-welcomes-lt.-gen.-john-g.-lorimer-as-deputy-commander-isaf.html|archive-date=13 July 2013}}</ref> he became [[Commander Land Forces]] in November 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defenceviewpoints.co.uk/defence-news/ups-and-outs-july-2013|title=Ups and outs July 2013|publisher=Defence Viewpoints|access-date=14 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/structure/32409.aspx|title=Strucrure|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=30 November 2013}}</ref>

Carter was appointed [[Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath]] (KCB) in the [[2014 New Year Honours]].<ref name=kcb>{{London Gazette|issue=60728 |supp=y|page=2|date=31 December 2013 |nolink=y}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/268848/New_Year_Honours_2014_military_division_list.pdf |title=New Year Honours 2014 Military Division|publisher=UK Government|access-date=21 February 2014}}</ref> On 21 February 2014 it was announced that Carter would assume the post of [[Chief of the General Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the General Staff]].<ref name="New Chief of the General Staff appointed 21022014">{{cite web|title=New Chief of the General Staff appointed|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/news/26112.aspx|publisher=British Army|access-date=21 February 2014}}</ref> He took up his post and was promoted to full [[General (United Kingdom)|general]] on 5 September 2014.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=60984 |supp=y|page=2|date=9 September 2014 |nolink=y}}</ref> As of 2015, Carter was paid a salary of between £170,000 and £174,999 by the department, making him one of the 328 most highly paid people in the British public sector at that time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/492289/150K_senior_salaries.csv/preview|title=Senior officials 'high earners' salaries as at 30 September 2015 – GOV.UK|date=2015-12-17|website=gov.uk|access-date=2016-03-13}}</ref> Carter was awarded the US [[Legion of Merit]] on 18 March 2016 for services in Afghanistan.<ref name=":2">{{London Gazette|issue=61529 |supp=y|page=6084|date=18 March 2016 |nolink=y}}</ref>

On 1 February 2013, he succeeded Sir Nick Parker as [[Colonel commandant|Colonel-Commandant]] of [[The Rifles]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.devondorsetregiment.co.uk/news/1057/NEW+COLONEL+COMMANDANT+FOR+THE+RIFLES|title=NEW COLONEL COMMANDANT FOR THE RIFLES|publisher=The Regimental Association of the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment|access-date= 9 March 2017}}</ref>

In January 2018 Carter used a speech in London to enter publicly into the debate over defence spending. According to Carter failure to keep up with Russia will leave the UK exposed, particularly to unorthodox, hybrid warfare. He also said that one of the biggest threats posed is from cyber-attacks that target both military and civilian life. Carter said: "Our ability to pre-empt or respond to threats will be eroded if we don't keep up with our adversaries."<ref>{{cite web|last=MacAskill |first=Ewen |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/jan/22/uk-faces-cyber-warfare-threat-on-battlefield-and-against-civilian-services |title=UK warned that Russian threat requires increased defence spending |date=22 January 2018 |work=The Guardian|access-date=22 January 2018}}</ref>
[[File:RAF 100 chiefs.jpeg|thumb|right|Carter (right) with other service chiefs at the RAF 100 celebrations in 2018]]

In June 2018 Carter succeeded Air Chief Marshal [[Stuart Peach|Sir Stuart Peach]] as [[Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Defence Staff]].<ref>{{cite web|title=General Sir Nick Carter appointed new Chief of the Defence Staff|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/general-sir-nick-carter-appointed-new-chief-of-the-defence-staff|publisher=Ministry of Defence|date=28 March 2018|access-date=28 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/general-sir-nicholas-carter-appointed-head-of-military-11306867|title=General Sir Nicholas Carter appointed head of British armed forces|publisher=Sky News|date=28 March 2018|access-date=28 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue= 62321|page=10419|date=12 June 2018|supp=y}}</ref>

In August 2018 Carter said he would not allow British soldiers to be "chased" by people making "vexatious claims" about their conduct during [[the Troubles]] in Northern Ireland. Carter said serving and former service personnel should face action for "genuine" wrongdoing. But he vowed groundless cases "will not happen on my watch".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45050693 |title=Armed forces chief vows to fight false Northern Ireland claims |date=3 August 2018 |access-date=4 August 2018}}</ref>

In 2018 Carter also became the patron for the UK charity Supporting Wounded Veterans.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.supportingwoundedveterans.com/executive-trustees|title=Executive and trustees|publisher=Supporting Wounded Veterans|access-date=4 February 2020}}</ref>

Carter was appointed [[Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath]] (GCB) in the [[2019 Birthday Honours]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=62666|page=B2|supp=y|date=8 June 2019}}</ref>

In 2020, Carter was one of the senior public servants who took part in the Government's daily [[Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2|coronavirus]] briefings.<ref>{{cite web |title=Coronavirus: Social restrictions 'to remain for rest of year' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-52389285 |date=22 April 2020 |website=BBC News}}</ref>

On 1 December 2021, Carter relinquished the appointment of [[aide-de-camp general]] to the Queen.<ref name="LG 7 December 2021">{{London Gazette |issue= 63548 |date= 7 December 2021 |page= 22144 |supp= y}}</ref>

===Criticism===
Carter has been criticised on several occasions by [[United States Army|American]] officers for his conduct and command while in Afghanistan. He was described by Colonel Harry Tunnell, former Brigade Commander of 5/2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, as displaying a "gross lack of concern for subordinates" throughout his command in Afghanistan in 2009 and 2010.<ref>{{cite news|title='British Army chief risked soldiers' lives,' says US colonel |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/british-army-chief-risked-soldiers-lives-says-us-colonel-8348397.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220619/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/british-army-chief-risked-soldiers-lives-says-us-colonel-8348397.html |archive-date=19 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|first1=Jonathan|last1=Owen|first2=Brian|last2=Brady|work=[[The Independent]]|date=25 November 2012|access-date=17 February 2015|location=London}}</ref> Further criticism came from Lieutenant General [[Daniel P. Bolger]], who claimed that "young riflemen paid the price" for Carter's "risk-averse" mentality and his unwillingness to allow his troops to defend themselves. Bolger also claimed that Carter refused to visit the front line and only visited safe positions by helicopter, while frequently refusing requests for aircraft and [[artillery]] support from troops under his command. Bolger further stated, "He's not the type of general I would put in charge of anything."<ref>{{cite news|title='British Army chief 'cost lives'|url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/National/article1484372.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217213144/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/National/article1484372.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 February 2015|work=[[The Times]]|date=16 November 2014|location=London|access-date=17 February 2015|first1=Toby|last1=Harnden|first2=Mark|last2=Hookham}}</ref>

These allegations have been vigorously contested by other US officers and British colleagues. For instance, Lieutenant General [[Ben Hodges]] who commanded US Army Europe, and worked under Carter in Afghanistan, wrote to ''[[The Sunday Times]]'' stating that he was "appalled" by Bolger's representation of Carter.<ref name="thesundaytimes.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/comment/regulars/lettersandemails/article1486758.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404203312/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/comment/regulars/lettersandemails/article1486758.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 April 2015|title=Letters and emails: 23 November – The Sunday Times|work=[[The Sunday Times]]|access-date=12 May 2015}}</ref> The letter, jointly signed with another former subordinate of Carter, went on to observe that Carter's emphasis on avoiding civilian casualties had been crucial to mission success, that the soldiers under his command were never denied the right to defend themselves, and that Carter frequently exposed himself to personal danger by deploying forward to the key towns and villages at the heart of the counter-insurgency effort.<ref name="thesundaytimes.co.uk"/> Carter Malkasian, an author and [[Center for Naval Analyses|CNA]] analyst writing for ''[[The Washington Post]]'', said Bolger was "on thin ice" when criticizing those, like Carter, who "tried to protect innocents".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/book-review-why-we-lost-a-generals-account-of-two-wars-by-daniel-bolger/2015/01/02/0d8675d2-8081-11e4-81fd-8c4814dfa9d7_story.html|title=Book review: "Why We Lost," a general's account of two wars, by Daniel Bolger|work=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=12 May 2015}}</ref>

Conversely, Tunnell's judgment whilst under Carter's command was the subject of criticism.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/foreigners/2012/06/the_war_in_afghanistan_and_harry_tunnell_s_stryker_battalion.html|title=The war in Afghanistan and Harry Tunnell's Stryker battalion|work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]|access-date=12 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.thenewstribune.com/military/2012/06/27/we-lost-a-year-general-says-about-former-jblm-stryker-commander-col-harry-tunnell/|title="We lost a year" general says about former JBLM Stryker commander Col. Harry Tunnell|work=Tacoma News Tribune|access-date=12 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/let-s-kill-report-reveals-discipline-breakdown-in-kill-team-brigade-a-754952.html/ |title=Report blames lapses on Stryker commander|work=Army Times|access-date=12 May 2015}}</ref> A formal US Army review of the conduct of Tunnell's brigade in Afghanistan pointed to its "lack of discipline" and "contempt for the normal Army rules".<ref name="spiegelonline,hamburg,germany">{{cite web|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/let-s-kill-report-reveals-discipline-breakdown-in-kill-team-brigade-a-754952.html|title='Let's Kill': Report Reveals Discipline Breakdown in Kill Team Brigade|date=4 April 2011|work=[[Der Spiegel]]|access-date=12 May 2015}}</ref> The report's author concluded: "Colonel Tunnell is no longer in command... If still in command, I would recommend that Colonel Tunnell be relieved of his responsibilities as a brigade commander."<ref name="spiegelonline,hamburg,germany"/>

==Personal life==
In 1984 Carter married Louise Anne Ewart; they have three sons and one daughter.<ref name=WW/> His interests include [[golf]], [[cricket]], field sports and cycling.<ref name=WW/> Carter was honoured ''[[Ad Portas]]'', being received formally by the whole school, at his alma mater, [[Winchester College]], in September 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last=Normand |first=Christopher |title=Winchester College: General Sir Nick Carter |url=https://www.winchestercollege.org/stories/ad-portas-for-General-Sir-Nick-Carter |publisher=Winchester College Society |access-date=6 October 2021}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Commons category}}
* [[Operation Dragon Strike]]
* [[Khosrow Sofla]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Jacko Page]]}}
{{s-ttl|title={{nowrap|[[6th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|GOC 6th Division]]}}|years=2009–2011}}
{{s-non|reason=Division disbanded}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Adrian Bradshaw]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Deputy Commander, [[International Security Assistance Force|ISAF]]|years=2012–2013}}
{{s-aft|after=[[John Lorimer (British Army officer)|John Lorimer]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=Sir Adrian Bradshaw}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Commander Land Forces]]|years=2013–2014}}
{{s-aft|after=[[James Everard]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Peter Wall (British Army officer)|Sir Peter Wall]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Chief of the General Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the General Staff]]|years=2014–2018}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Mark Carleton-Smith|Sir Mark Carleton-Smith]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Stuart Peach|Sir Stuart Peach]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Defence Staff]]|years=2018–2021}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Tony Radakin|Sir Tony Radakin]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Chiefs of Defence Staff}}
{{Chief of the General Staff}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Carter, Nick}}
[[Category:1959 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People educated at Winchester College]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst]]
[[Category:Royal Green Jackets officers]]
[[Category:British Army generals]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Companions of the Distinguished Service Order]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Commendation for Valuable Service]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of the Iraq War]]
[[Category:Chiefs of the General Staff (United Kingdom)]]
[[Category:Chiefs of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Staff College, Camberley]]
[[Category:Foreign recipients of the Legion of Merit]]
[[Category:Recipients of the NATO Meritorious Service Medal]]

Nick Carter (British Army officer) - Revision history

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article