Rear-Admiral Craig Baines enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces Regular Officer Training Program in 1987. After completing initial naval training, he served as a Bridge Watchkeeping Officer in HMCS SAGUENAY and Deck Officer in HMCS THUNDER.

In 1991, he completed the Destroyer Navigation Officer course and was employed as Navigation Officer in HMC Ships CHIGNECTO and ANNAPOLIS. He graduated from the Maritime Advanced Navigation Officer Course in 1992 and was employed as the Navigation Officer of HMCS PROVIDER. Following the year-long Operations Room Officer course, he served as Operations Officer in HMCS REGINA and Combat Officer in HMCS WINNIPEG.

Returning to sea in 2004, he served as Executive Officer in HMCS CALGARY. In 2007, he was appointed Commanding Officer of HMCS WINNIPEG where he received the Meritorious Service Cross for his leadership during WINNIPEG's counter-piracy mission off the Horn of Africa.

Rear-Admiral Baines’ staff appointments include Staff Officer at HMCS UNICORN, the Naval Reserve Division in Saskatoon.  He served abroad in Norfolk, Virginia with the US Navy's Second Fleet.  He worked at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa in both the Directorate of Maritime Training and Education and as the Maritime Staff Director of Strategic Communications. In 2010, he was appointed as the Base Commander of Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt.  Prior to becoming Fleet Commander of Canadian Fleet Atlantic, he served as Special Advisor to the Chief of Defence Staff.

His education includes a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Manitoba. While on exchange in Norfolk, he completed the US Naval War College program and a graduate certificate program in the History of Strategy and Policy at Old Dominion University. He completed the Canadian Forces College Joint Command and Staff Program concurrent with his Master of Defence Studies. In 2013, he completed the National Security Program and a Master of Public Administration.

He was appointed as Commander Canadian Fleet Atlantic in July 2014. During his 3 year posting as Fleet Commander, he sailed extensively with the Fleet and participated in major international exercises including Trident Juncture 2015, Joint Warrior 152 and Cutlass Fury 2016. Rear-Admiral Baines will assume Command of Maritime Forces Atlantic in August.