Randy B. Crites Explained

Randy B. Crites
Birth Place:Lima, Ohio, United States
Allegiance:United States
Branch:United States Navy
Serviceyears:1983–2023
Rank:Vice admiral[1]
Commands:Submarine Group 10

Awards:Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit (5)
Alma Mater:Naval War College
Ohio State University

Randy B. Crites (born 1962)[2] is a retired vice admiral of the United States Navy. He last served as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Integration of Capabilities and Resources from May 15, 2020, to 2023. He previously served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Budget, and as director of the Fiscal Management Division (OPNAV N82) in Washington, D.C., until he was promoted to the rank of vice admiral in 2020.[3] [4] Prior he served as the Director of OPNAV N81 Assessments Division, as Director of the Maritime Headquarters at United States Pacific Fleet, as Commander Submarine Group 10, and as Commanding officer of and .

Early life and education

Crites was born and raised in Lima, Ohio. He attended Shawnee High School, graduating in 1980.[5] Crites studied mining engineering at Ohio State University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in 1984.[6] Crites was commissioned as an ensign in the United States Navy in 1985 through the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate (NUPOC) program. In 1996, he moved to Newport, Rhode Island, where he attended the Naval War College and studied security studies and completed a master's degree in National Security Affairs. Crites is also a graduate of the MIT Seminar XXI National Securities study program.

Naval career

After commissioning through Officer Candidate School, Crites completed training at Nuclear Power School and the Nuclear Power Training Unit before serving as a division officer aboard the Sturgeon-class nuclear attack submarine . He later served aboard the Sturgeon-class as the navigator and operations officer before his third sea-tour where he served as the executive officer aboard the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine . Afterwards, he assumed command of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, completing four strategic patrols, and later assumed command of the Ohio-class guided missile submarine .[7]

Crites headed navy's branches stationed at various places. He was appointed as the branch head for Program Planning and Development. His other tours ashore include instructor at the United States Fleet Forces Command (formerly United States Atlantic Fleet), and a naval member of the Tactical Readiness Evaluation Team. He later served as commander of a nuclear-powered submarine project the Submarine Program Section (SPS) and Shipbuilding Account Manager (SAM). He also headed the United States Strategic Command as weapons system programmer. He remained commanding officer of the Performance Monitoring Team (PMT) at Submarine Squadron 4.[7]

Before being appointed as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (DCNO) for Integration of Capabilities and Resources (OPNAV N8), Crites served as commander of Submarine Group 10, director of Maritime Headquarters in the Pacific Fleet, the Director of the OPNAV Assessments Division (OPNAV N81), and served simultaneously as deputy assistant Secretary of the Navy for Budget (FMB) and as the Director of OPNAV's Fiscal Management Division (OPNAV N82).[7]

Awards and decorations

BadgeSubmarine Warfare insignia (Officer)
1st rowNavy Distinguished Service Medal with gold award starLegion of Merit with four gold award starsDefense Meritorious Service Medal
2nd rowMeritorious Service Medal with award starNavy Commendation Medal with three award starsNavy Achievement Medal with two award stars
3rd rowJoint Meritorious Unit AwardNavy Meritorious Unit Commendation with one bronze service starNavy "E" Ribbon with three Battle "E" devices
4th rowNavy Expeditionary MedalNational Defense Service Medal with service starArmed Forces Service Medal
5th rowHumanitarian Service MedalNavy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with four service starsNavy Arctic Service Ribbon
6th rowNATO Medal for the former YugoslaviaNavy Expert Rifleman MedalNavy Expert Pistol Shot Medal
BadgeSilver SSBN Deterrent Patrol insignia (7 awards)
BadgeCommand at Sea insignia

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Burke Leads List as Navy Resumes Flag Officer Announcements. Richard R.. Burgess. May 6, 2020.
  2. Book: Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy on Active Duty . October 1, 1990 . 103 . Bureau of Naval Personnel . 2021-06-22.
  3. Web site: The US Navy wants more ships but can't afford them, admiral says. David. Larter. February 10, 2020. Defense News.
  4. Web site: Navy's vice chief tapped to command service's forces in Europe, Africa. Stars and Stripes. Vandiver. John. May 7, 2020.
  5. Book: Shawnee Quilna 1980 . 54 . 71 . Shawnee High School . Lima, Ohio.
  6. Book: 288th Commencement, Spring 1984 . June 8, 1984 . 40 . The Ohio State University . 2021-02-07.
  7. Web site: U.S. Navy Biographies – VICE ADMIRAL RANDY B. CRITES. www.navy.mil.