The son of a navy master chief and quartermaster, Crowder received a congressional appointment to the United States Naval Academy, where he graduated in June 1974.

He commanded USS Kidd (DDG-993) from 1992–1994, operating in both the Pacific and Atlantic, winning the Battle Efficiency "E" Award.

In 1998-1999 he commanded Destroyer Squadron 24, deploying to the Mediterranean as part of the USS John F. Kennedy Battle Group.

Vice Admiral Crowder was selected as an Olmsted Scholar and studied European Economic and Political Affairs at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland from 1980-82.

In November 1982, he was awarded the Jean Monnet Medal for Leadership by the President of the French Senate in Paris.