Cartaino was a Starfleet command division officer serving aboard the USS Enterprise-D in 2367.

Along with Lieutenant junior grade Gleason and Ensign Crusher, he was ordered by Commander Shelby to report to the battle bridge shortly before the Enterprise-D was to separate and execute a plan to rescue Captain Jean-Luc Picard from the Borg.

On the battle bridge he manned the communications and confirmed Captain William T. Riker's orders to shut the com channel. (TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II")