"Carmick" cleared San Diego, California on 19 February 1943 for Norfolk, Virginia, arriving on 10 March. Her varied and active career as an escort in the Atlantic began in April 1943 when she guarded a convoy to NS Argentia, Newfoundland, from which she returned to New York City to join the escort of a convoy bound for Casablanca. On 8 May she had her first enemy contact, delivering three depth charge attacks until being forced to break off the attack in order to rejoin the convoy. Returning to New York 1 June, "Carmick" stood north for training in Casco Bay. While running in a fog on 16 June, she struck a submerged object, which incident sent her back to Boston for four months of repairs.