Duriel Crittenden, a southern Alabama native, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2001 following his high school graduation in Tampa, Florida. Over his distinguished career, he excelled in leadership roles at sea and ashore, serving in challenging locations such as Kuwait, Fallujah Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Crittenden demonstrated leadership prowess ashore, holding roles such as Command Climate Specialist for the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training and the Office of the Naval Inspector General. His dedication led to his designation as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader in the Office of the Naval Inspector General. In July 2021, Crittenden assumed the role of Command Senior Enlisted Leader at Navy Support Activity Panama City.

Educationally, he holds a Master of Arts in Management and Leadership, a Bachelor’s of Science in Health Care Management, and a Graduate Certificate in Project Management.  Crittenden is also a distinguished graduate of the Department of Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute.

Currently, Crittenden serves as the Director of the FSU PC ASCENT program, a 6-year, $23 Million Project partially funded by Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc. The program aims to contribute to the development of a robust regional workforce in cybersecurity and new technologies. Focused on increasing K-12 students' interest in engineering, computer science, information technology, and cybersecurity fields, expanding undergraduate degree programs at FSU Panama City, and delivering non-credit customized training courses, ASCENT aligns with Crittenden's commitment to workforce development in the community.