Lieutenant Commander Michael M. (Max) Karafotis together with his wife, Allie, are natives of Richmond Virginia and have one son (4), Nikolai.
LCDR Karafotis matriculated to the Virginia Military Institute in 2010, earning two Bachelor of Arts degrees in International Relations and German Language and Culture. During which time in 2013, he was afforded the opportunity to study at the German Military Academy, Bundeswehr, building relations and studying alongside foreign allies. LCDR Karafotis commissioned through VMI’s NROTC in 2014.
Sea tours include: Division Officer and Plankowner aboard USS AMERICA (LHA 6), Damage Control Assistant (DCA) aboard USS BAINBRIDGE (DDG 96), Training Officer (TRAINO) aboard USS IWO JIMA (LHD 7), and Combat Systems Officer (CSO) aboard USS LAKE ERIE (CG 70).
As AMERICA’s Electronic Repair Officer and CE Division officer from 2014-2016, he led his division throughout the ship’s inaugural deployment “America Meets the Americas”, RIMPAC 2016. As BAINBRIDGE’s DCA from 2017-2019, he ensured crew and equipment met all MOB-D and MOB-E certification requirements culminating in the ship’s successful completion of INSURV and BALTOPS 2018 exercise. As IWO JIMA’s TRAINO from 2022-2024, he led the crew out of a COVID-era drydock SRA revitalizing all onboard training teams, daily operations, and administrative requirements for IWO JIMA Sailors successfully commencing IWO JIMA’s Basic Phase. As LAKE ERIE’s CSO and Senior Watch Officer from 2024-2026, he led his department and ship through two deployments in support of both an independent 7th Fleet deployment and a 4th Fleet Operation Southern Spear deployment directly supporting kinetic operations in Venezuela.
Shore tours include: Military Sealift Command Atlantic (MSCLANT) and U.S. Fleet Forces CTF-83 staff from 2019 to 2022 as the Combat Logistic Force Scheduler directly responsible for thirteen combat logistic USNS operational schedules. Currently, LCDR Karafotis is serving as the Director of Operations for the National Defense University Eisenhower School.
His decorations include: Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), Navy Unit Commendation Medal (four awards), the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency (Leistungsabzeichen) and the German Armed Forces Marksmanship Proficiency Badge (Schützenschnur), in addition to various other unit and personal awards.