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 USS West Virginia (SSBN-736) and USS Florida (SSGN-728).

[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.

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).