Captain Michael Windom, a native of Cordele, Georgia, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1987. He completed enlisted tours as an aviation machinist’s mate with Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 42 aboard USS Taylor (FFG 50) and USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm; USS Monterey (CG 61) in support of Operation Southern Watch, aboard USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), and USS McInerney (FFG 8). Windom commissioned via Officer Candidate School in 2001 as an aerospace maintenance duty officer. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Workforce Education, a master’s degree in business administration, and is an acquisition professional.
At sea, he served as Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 40 detachment maintenance officer; ground support equipment and aviation ordnance division officer, and airframes and powerplants division officer aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom; maintenance material control officer and assistant maintenance officer aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78); and aviation intermediate maintenance officer aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73).
Windom’s shore tours include serving as an H-60 instructor for Navy Aviation Maintenance Training Group; integrated product team lead for Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic; aviation intermediate maintenance officer and officer-in-charge for Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic; requirement officer for the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations; officer-in-charge for Naval Aviation Maintenance Center for Excellence; commanding officer of Fleet Readiness Center Northwest; and he assumed the role of executive officer of Fleet Readiness Center Southeast in March 2023.
Windom assumed the role of commanding officer of Fleet Readiness Center Southeast in April 2025.
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five awards), Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, and numerous unit awards. He has earned his Aviation Maintenance Officer Warfare Qualification and is entitled to wear both the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist and Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist insignias.