Commander Germain was born near Montréal, Qc and spent his school years in Laval. In 1989, he received a BA in administration from Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean, Québec. He graduated from Command and Staff College course at the Collège Interarmées de Défense in Paris in 2005 where he received a brevet d’Études militaires supérieures and a Diplôme d’Études supérieures de défense.

Since starting his naval training, Commander Germain’s sea posting have included bridge watchkeeping training onboard HMCS SKEENA, Above Water Warfare Officer (AWWO) onboard HMCS VILLE DE QUÉBEC, Combat Officer and Antiair Warfare Controller (AAWC) on HMCS ATHABASKAN, Standing Naval Forces Atlantic (SNFL) flagship, during Op Allied Force in 1999 for NATO operations in Kosovo.

Commander Germain’s shore postings have included one posting in Canadian Forces Naval Operations School (CFNOS) in Halifax as the Above Water Warfare (AWW) Officer and one posting on CMS staff as the AWW Operational Readiness staff officer and AWW Requirements staff officer. In his latter assignment, he was project director for all current and future naval missiles, including Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM); and radars, such as HALIFAX Class Radar Upgrade Project (RUP).

In August 2005, Commander Germain assumed the position of Executive Officer on board HMCS REGINA where he was promoted to his current rank before taking over as Executive Officer of HMCS PROTECTEUR in May 2006. In 2008, on completion of his deployment as part of the Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150) for OP ALTAIR Roto 4, he assumed the position of Executive Assistant to the Commander Maritime Command and Chief of the Maritime Staff until he took command of HMCS VILLE DE QUÉBEC in July 2010.

Commander Germain has two children: Valérie and Amélie. He lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia with his wife Claire.  He enjoys outdoor activities such as ski and tennis.