A native of Michigan, Cmdr. Michael Fontaine enlisted in the Navy in November of 1995 as a machinist’s mate and was promoted to 2nd class petty officer. He was commissioned through the Nuclear Enlisted Commissioning Program at North Carolina State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and graduating in 2000.
 
Following completion of the Surface Warfare Division Officer’s course, Cmdr. Fontaine was assigned to USS Reuben James (FFG 57) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii as the anti-submarine Warfare Officer and combat information center officer where he planned and executed multi-national exercises with Pakistan, Qatar and Great Britain. Upon completion of the nuclear propulsion training pipeline he was assigned as the reactor controls division officer aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). During the around the world deployment, Cmdr. Fontaine was temporarily assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 31 where he served as a regional engagement officer and coordinated exercises with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in support of Commander. U.S. 5th Fleet's theater security cooperation initiative. Cmdr. Fontaine completed Surface Warfare Department Head's course and was assigned to USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) as the 1st lieutenant in December 2008. He served as the shipyard's primary point of contact and led the ship through the over $100 million planned mid-life availability which modernized the propulsion plant of this 25-year old warship. 

Cmdr. Fontaine's second department head tour was as the reactor training assistant aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) where he completed the ship's maiden deployment. He most recently served as the assistant reactor officer on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in Bremerton, Washington.

CDR Fontaine’s shore assignment following division officer tours was as a Shift Engineer of Moored Training Ship 626 Crew Alpha at Nuclear Power Training Unit in Charleston, South Carolina from 2006-2008. Following his department head at sea assignments he served as the production requirements deputy branch head in the Learning and Development Division (N72) at Naval Education and Training Command in Norfolk, Virginia. He then served as the executive officer of Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4 from May 2014 to December 2015.

Cmdr. Fontaine's personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), Good Conduct Medal and numerous unit and expeditionary awards and ribbons.