LTC McCracken was born in Greenville, Pennsylvania and grew up in nearby Meadville,
Pennsylvania. He commissioned into the US Army Ordnance Corps in 2003 and graduated
from the Ordnance Officer Basic Course at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.
In his first assignment, he served in the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York assigned as a Platoon Leader in Bravo Company, 210th Forward Support Battalion; Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, and Maintenance Control Officer in Echo Forward Support Company, 210th Brigade Support Battalion (supporting the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment).
From 2008 to 2011, LTC McCracken had a break in service. He worked as the Lean
Manufacturing Manager at ACUTEC Precision Machining and served in the Pennsylvania
Army National Guard. In 2011, LTC McCracken returned to active duty and graduated the Combined Logistics Captain’s Career Course (CLCCC). Following CLCCC, he was assigned to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas and served as the Supply Management Officer in the 47th Brigade Support Battalion. From 2012 – 2013, LTC McCracken commanded Foxtrot Forward Support Company, 47th Brigade Support Battalion (supporting 1st Battalion, 35th Armored Regiment). Following company command, LTC McCracken served as the Deputy Support Operations Officer in the 47th Brigade Support Battalion. In 2014, LTC McCracken was assigned to the Combined Arms Support Command at Fort Lee, Virginia where he served as a Capabilities Developer in the Enterprise Systems Directorate’s Sustainment Mission Command Division. In 2015 - 2016, he served as the Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General of Picatinny Arsenal, NJ. From 2016 - 2017, he attended the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. From 2017 - 2018, LTC McCracken served as the Brigade S4 for the 82nd Airborne Division Artillery (DIVARTY); From 2018 - 2019, LTC McCracken served as the Battalion Executive Officer for the 82nd Special Troops Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In 2019, LTC McCracken graduated from the Joint and Combined Warfare School in Norfolk, Virginia. From 2019 – 2021, LTC McCracken served as Branch Chief for the US Central Command area of responsibility in the United States Transportation Command, J5/4 Deliberate Plans Division at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. During his time in service, LTC McCracken completed two combat tours (12 months and 15 months) in Iraq with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
His awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (2 OLC), the Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal (1 OLC), the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with three Campaign Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon (with numeral 2), the Valorous Unit Award, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Order of Samuel Sharpe, the Combat Action Badge, Basic Parachutist Badge, and Ranger Tab.
