SMSgt Craig Crabtree is the Senior Enlisted Leader for the Center for Character and Leadership Development at the U.S. Air Force Academy. In this capacity, he plays a pivotal role in enhancing the understanding and application of effective character and leadership development practices across military, academic, and athletic environments for cadets, faculty, and staff. Additionally, he serves as an Academy Faculty Instructor in the Department of Political Science, where he educates cadets and future leaders of the Air and Space Forces to comprehend domestic and international political events by examining political theories and ideologies, international relations, American politics, international security, and defense decision-making.

SMSgt Crabtree enlisted in the Air Force in 2004 as a Cryptologic Language Analyst. He has held numerous Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) positions within the National Security Agency throughout his career, including Deployed SIGINT Analyst, Unit Deployment Manager, Senior Language Analyst, Global Language Center Senior Enlisted Leader, and Joint Operations Superintendent. SMSgt Crabtree also served in the Defense Attaché Service as the Operations NCO in the U.S. Embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan. Prior to his current assignment, he served as the Operations Superintendent and Senior Professional Military Education Instructor at the Inter-European Air Forces Academy in Germany, where he instructed international relations and security studies to U.S., European, and African officer and enlisted students.

Air University Leadership Development Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (2025)

AFPC Squadron Commander and Senior Enlisted Leader Course (virtual), Randolph Air Force Base, Texas (2024)

Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Gunter Annex, Ala. (2022)

Enlisted Professional Military Education Instructor Course, Gunter Annex, Ala. (2021)

Master of Science, International Relations, Troy University, Troy, Ala. (2021)

Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II, by correspondence (2018)

Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education I, by correspondence (2018)

Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, by correspondence (2017)

Joint Military Attaché School, Joint Base Anacostia Bolling, Washington, DC (2016)

Bachelor of Arts, International Relations, American Military University, Charles Town, W.Va. (2014)

Associate of Applied Science, Intelligence Studies, Community College of the Air Force (2012)

Associate of Arts, Modern Standard Arabic, Defense Language Institute, Presidio of Monterey, Calif. (2012)

Status of Resources and Training System Course, Fort Meade, Md. (2010)

SIGINT Analytic Support to Military Operations, Fort Meade, Md. (2009)

Airman Leadership School, Fort Meade, Md. (2009)

Airman Leadership School, Fort Meade, Md. (2009)

Arabic Cryptologic Language Specialist Course, Goodfellow AFB, Texas (2006)

Basic Modern Standard Arabic Course, Defense Language Institute, Presidio of Monterey, Calif. (2006)

Senior Enlisted Leader, Center for Character and Leadership Development, U.S. Air Force Academy (June 2025 – Present)

Operations Superintendent, Inter-European Air Forces Academy, Kapaun Air Station, Germany (July 2024 – June 2025)

Course Director, Inter-European Air Forces Academy, Kapaun AS, Germany (March 2021 – July 2024)

Senior Enlisted Leader, Office of Counter-terrorism Technical & Future Operations Division, 29th Intelligence Squadron, Ft. Meade, Md. (June 2019 – February 2021)

Superintendent, Global Learning Center, 29th Intelligence Squadron, Ft. Meade, Md. (August 2018 – June 2019)

Operations NCO, Defense Attaché Service, U.S. Embassy, Baku, Azerbaijan (March 2016 – July 2018)

Operations NCO, Defense Attaché Service, U.S. Embassy, Baku, Azerbaijan (March 2016 – July 2018)

Student, Defense Language Institute & Joint Military Attaché School, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, DC (August 2014 – February 2016)

Language Analyst/Deputy Flight Chief, 34th Intelligence Squadron, Ft. Meade, Md. (July 2012 – July 2014)

Unit Deployment Manager, 22nd Intelligence Squadron, Ft. Meade, Md. (July 2010 – July 2012)

Deployed SIGINT Geo-Spatial Analyst, Cryptologic Services Group, Kabul, Afghanistan (January 2010 – July 2010)

Cryptologic Language Analyst, 22nd Intelligence Squadron, Ft. Meade, Md. (December 2006 – December 2009)

Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Joint Service Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster

Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster

Joint Service Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster

Effective Dates of Promotion

Senior Master Sergeant July 1, 2024

Master Sergeant Nov. 1, 2018

Technical Sergeant May 1, 2014

Staff Sergeant June 1, 2009

Senior Airman April 30, 2007

Airman First Class Dec. 31, 2004

Airman Basic Nov. 16, 2004

(Current as of August 2024)