(MONTCLAIR, NJ) In September 2024, Captain Michael Fourte, a Montclair NJ resident and distinguished Navy Reservist, was selected by the Navy's highly competitive APPLY board—a group of Navy Admirals—to assume command of the 3rd Fleet Maritime Operations Center (MOC) Reserve Detachment at U.S. 3rd Fleet Headquarters in San Diego, California. Captain Fourte was chosen from a pool of 84 Navy Reserve Captains, a testament to his leadership and service. His assumption of command will be effective in December 2024.
The U.S. Third Fleet, one of the Navy’s most critical components and the largest of the numbered fleets, plays a strategic role in the defense and projection of U.S. naval power in the Pacific region. With a workforce of approximately 68,000 personnel, the Third Fleet is composed of four Carrier Strike Groups (CSGs) and two Expeditionary Strike Groups (ESGs). It operates extensively across the Pacific, from the international dateline to the Eastern Pacific, conducting joint and multinational exercises, maritime security operations, and providing forward-deployed naval forces. The Third Fleet is a cornerstone of U.S. naval presence, positioning itself to counter threats and manage tensions with emerging powers. It also supports humanitarian missions and ensures freedom of navigation in critical sea lanes.
As the incoming commanding officer of the 3rd Fleet MOC Reserve Detachment, Captain Fourte will lead a team of approximately 78 officers and enlisted sailors. This unit plays a pivotal role in augmenting the Third Fleet’s operational capabilities during rehearsals, real-world contingencies, and other naval operations. The unit's structure consists of diverse roles such as Electronic Systems Operators, Joint Operations Planners, Fires Officers, and Command and Control Watch Officers, all dedicated to ensuring the fleet's operational readiness.
Under Captain Fourte’s leadership, the unit will focus on preparing for future challenges, including enhancing readiness against emerging threats and posturing for key strategic operations in the Pacific. This includes countering regional threats posed by China’s growing maritime influence, Russia’s increasingly aggressive naval maneuvers, and North Korea’s destabilizing activities in the region. Captain Fourte’s objective is to ensure that these talented officers and sailors are fully prepared to meet these challenges and are equipped to defend the homeland and support the fleet's operations worldwide.
Captain Fourte remains committed to engaging the community through robust citizenship, believing that such involvement is the cornerstone of defending both democracy and national security. His emphasis on civic responsibility aligns with his belief that a healthy democratic society depends on an informed and active populace, and that this engagement forms the first line of defense against both internal and external threats.
Captain Michael Fourte, JD, MBA, is a respected attorney and real estate broker, licensed in both New Jersey and New York, and is the Managing Member of Fourte International, LLC. His extensive experience in both civilian and military leadership roles uniquely positions him to guide the 3rd Fleet MOC Reserve Detachment through its strategic missions.
For more information contact
- About Michael Fourte: Fourte International, 212 Pompton Avenue, Verona, NJ 973-380-0580 [email protected]
- About the Navy’s FY25 Apply Board: https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Portals/55/Messages/NAVADMIN/NAV2024/NAV24135.txt?ver=i52nmaTpQ_6nbzgOmFsSFg%3d%3d
- About the Official APPLY Board Results: Contact usn.norfolk.comnavresforcomva.mbx.cnrfc-senior-officer-apply@us.navy.mil
- About the United States 3rd Fleet: https://www.c3f.navy.mil/