[22] His intent was to eventually work aboard USS Seawolf, which was planned to be the second U.S. nuclear submarine.[33] His plans changed when his father died of pancreatic cancer in July, two months before construction of Seawolf began, and Carter obtained a release from active duty so he could take over the family peanut business.[34][16]: 100  Deciding to leave Schenectady proved difficult, as Rosalynn had grown comfortable with their life there.[35][36] She said later that returning to small-town life in Plains seemed "a monumental step backward."[37] Carter left active duty on October 9, 1953.[38][39] He served in the inactive Navy Reserve until 1961, and left the service with the rank of lieutenant.[40] His awards include the American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, China Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.[41] As a submarine officer he also earned the "dolphin" badge.[42]

Farming
After debt settlements and division of his estate among its heirs, Jimmy inherited comparatively little.[43] For a year, he, Rosalynn, and their three sons lived in public housing in Plains.