RDML Crane is a 1984 graduate of Virginia Tech. He then worked as a Civil Engineer through 1986. He was commissioned an Ensign in December 1986 through Aviation Officer Candidate School. He was designated a Naval Aviator in October 1988. 

His career as a Naval Aviator includes assignments at VF-101, VF-143, VF-43, VFC-12, VR-56 and culminated in command of VFC-12. Subsequent Command Tours include Navy Reserve (NR) Commander Strike Force Training Atlantic (CSFTL), Navy Expeditionary Combat Command’s (NECC) Expeditionary Training Group, and NR U.S Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) Joint Task Force Detachment 100. 

Non-Command tours include NR Commander Second Fleet (C2F), Joint Forces Air Component Commander (JFACC), Reserve Component (RC) Director for the merger of USFFC and C2F, RC USFFC and C2F Chief Staff Officer, and NR Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Operations and Plans (N3/N5) Chief Staff Officer.  He served on active duty as the Director of Operations for the Air Launched Weapons Team (ALWT) to manage weapons readiness as an Enterprise under Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF). Additionally, he served as a facilitator for CNAF’s Character and Integrity Initiative.

Promoted to flag rank in October 2013, RDML Crane served as Deputy Commander Naval Air Force Atlantic through October 2015.