Vice Adm. Randy Crites is a native of Lima, Ohio, graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in engineering and was commissioned through the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate program in 1985. He completed his Master of Arts in National Security Affairs at The College of Naval Command and Staff at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1996 and is a graduate of MIT Seminar XXI National Securities study program.

His early sea tours included assignments as executive officer of USS Nebraska (SSBN 739), navigator and operations officer on USS Archerfish (SSN 678), and he qualified in submarines serving as a division officer aboard USS Ray (SSN 653). Crites’ submarine command assignments included USS Florida (SSGN 728) where he deployed to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility, and USS West Virginia (SSBN 736) where he completed four strategic deterrent patrols.

Tours ashore included branch head, Program Planning and Development, Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) N801; Prospective Commanding Officer instructor U.S. Atlantic Fleet; senior member of the Atlantic, Tactical Readiness Evaluation Team; head of the Submarine Program Section and Shipbuilding Account Manager (OPNAV) N80; and weapons system programmer at U.S. Strategic Command and officer-in-charge of the performance-monitoring team at Submarine Squadron Four. His previous flag assignments include, deputy assistant Secretary of the Navy for Budget (FMB) and director, Fiscal Management Division, OPNAV (N82); director, Assessments Division (N81) on the OPNAV staff; commander, Submarine Group 10; and director, Maritime Headquarters U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Crites’ personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He is most proud of his various unit awards that reflect credit on the successful teams he has served with and the many skilled professionals he has been privileged to work alongside.