John W. Craine Jr. (born June 4, 1945) is a retired United States Navy vice admiral who served as the president of the State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College from 2006 to 2011.
Early life and education
Craine was born in Richmond, Virginia. He is a graduate of Christchurch School in Christchurch, Virginia, and Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia. He is also a distinguished graduate of the Air Command and Staff College.
Naval career
Craine served 33 years in the U.S. Navy as a fighter pilot, holding several senior leadership positions, including command of a fighter squadron, a naval air station, and 26 naval bases and air stations in the Atlantic Fleet. He culminated his service as Director, Naval Training, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, and Chief of Naval Education and Training. In these roles, he oversaw 168 training activities that provided training for approximately 440,000 officers, soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines each year, in programs ranging from enlisted basic and technical training to naval flight training. He retired with the rank of vice admiral.
Academic career
Craine joined SUNY in October 2001 and served as the interim president of the Maritime College until July 2002. He then became the founding president of the SUNY Neil D. Levin Graduate Institute of International Relations and Commerce. In January 2003, he served as chairman of the board of trustees Task Force on Efficiency and Effectiveness of the State University. In March 2004, he joined the Research Foundation of the State University of New York as senior vice president. He was appointed president of SUNY Maritime College on May 27, 2006, after having served as acting president since June 2005. He retired at the end of the 2010–2011 academic year.
Awards and decorations
Craine's military awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (three awards), the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal (two awards).
Personal life
Craine and his wife, Wendy, have two grown sons.
