[2] Carey attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where he majored in Marketing and Business Administration.

He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and later went on to study for an M.B.A. at Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

[citation needed] President Ronald Reagan in 1981 nominated Carey as a Commissioner of the U. S. Federal Maritime Commission.

[citation needed] He is national public policy leader and International Grand Master of The Knights Templar International, recognized in "special consultative status" by the United Nations, former Chairman of the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission, and Eagle Scout.

[citation needed] In 2007, he endowed the Admiral James J. Carey Foundation for the support of "carefully chosen organizations, institutions, and associations that share the Admiral’s views on service to our nation and 'giving back' to society ..." He was the chairman of the Future Leaders for America Foundation,[4] National Co-Chairman of the 1700+ Member Organization for military admirals and generals,[5] founder and chairman of the National Defense Committee,[6] and Chairman of the Good Samaritans of the Knights Templar Foundation.