A week after the September 11th attacks, Rep. Crane left college during his senior year at the University of Arizona to enlist in the U.S. Navy. During his 13 years in military service, he participated in five wartime deployments – serving three with SEAL Team 3.

In 2012, Rep. Crane and his wife Jen co-founded a veteran-owned and operated small business that manufactures bottle openers made from shell casings. A venture that started in their garage, the business eventually grew to employ dozens and led to a successfully negotiated deal that was televised nationally. They sold the company in 2022.

Eli and Jen live in Arizona with their two daughters, Makenzie and Kennedy.