Randy B. Crites

Randy B. Crites (born 1962)[2] is a vice admiral in the United States Navy, serving as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Integration of Capabilities and Resources (OPNAV N8) since May 15, 2020. 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]

Randy B. Crites
Crites in 2020
Born1962 (age 60–61)
Lima, Ohio, United States
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1985–present
RankVice admiral[1]
Commands heldUnited States Fleet Forces Command
United States Strategic Command
Submarine Group 10
USS West Virginia
USS Florida
AwardsLegion of Merit (4)
Alma materNaval War College
Ohio State University

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 the 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 did master's degree in National Security Affairs. Crites is also a graduate of the MIT Seminar XXI National Securities study program.

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 USS Ray (SSN-653). He later served aboard the Sturgeon-class USS Archerfish (SSN-678) 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 USS Nebraska (SSBN-739). Afterwards, he assumed command of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS West Virginia (SSBN-736), completing four strategic patrols, and later assumed command of the Ohio-class guided missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN-728). [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 U.S. Atlantic Fleet), and a naval member of the Tactical Readiness Evaluation Team. He retained prominent positions in the US Navy such as commander of a nuclear-powered submarine project the Submarine Program Section (SPS) and Shipbuilding Account Manager (SAM). As on active commissioned duty, he headed the United States Strategic Command as weapons system programmer. He remained commanding officer of the Performance Monitoring Team (PMT) at Submarine Squadron 4, raised by the US Navy in 1930. [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 most recently 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
Gold star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Badge Submarine Warfare insignia (Officer)
1st row Legion of Merit with three gold award stars | Defense Meritorious Service Medal
2nd row Meritorious Service Medal with award star Navy Commendation Medal with three award stars Navy Achievement Medal with two award stars
3rd row Joint Meritorious Unit Award Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with one bronze service star Navy "E" Ribbon with three Battle "E" devices
4th row Navy Expeditionary Medal National Defense Service Medal with service star Armed Forces Service Medal
5th row Humanitarian Service Medal Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with four service stars Navy Arctic Service Ribbon
6th row NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia Navy Expert Rifleman Medal Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal
Badge Silver SSBN Deterrent Patrol insignia (7 awards)
Badge Command at Sea insignia

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