Lieutenant General Craparotta is a native of South Windsor, Connecticut and graduated from the University of Vermont. He was commissioned in May 1983. He has attended The Basic School, the Infantry Officer Course, Amphibious Warfare School, Army Command and General Staff College, and the Naval War College. He has also completed the Marine Corps Aerial Observer Course, Army Airborne School and the Armed Forces Staff College.

His service in the Operating Forces includes: Platoon Commander and Company Executive Officer with 1st Battalion, 7th Marines (June 1984 – September 1986); Company Commander and Operations Officer with 1st Battalion, 9th Marines (August 1992-September 1994); Executive Officer for 1st Battalion, 1st Marines (October 1994 – January 1995); S-4 Officer for 1st Marine Regiment (January 1995 – June 1995); Division Inspector for 1st Marine Division (August 1999 – August 2000); Executive Officer for 1st Marine Regiment (September 2000 – April 2001); Commanding Officer for 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines (April 2001 – June 2003); Commanding Officer for 1st Marine Regiment (June 2006 – June 2009); Assistant Division Commander, 2D Marine Division (July 2009 - July 2010); Commanding General 2D Marine Division (Forward) August 2010-April 2012.  He served as the Commanding General of I Marine Expeditionary Force from July 2016 to August 2018, and Commanding General of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific August 2018 – August 2020.  He has commanded at the battalion, regiment and division levels in combat.

His service outside the Operating Forces includes duty as a tactics instructor at The Basic School from October 1986 to April 1987 and as an instructor at IOC from April 1987 through June 1990. From July 1991 to July 1992 he was assigned as an advisor to the Royal Saudi Marines in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. Between August 1996 and June 1999 he was assigned to Headquarters, Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) in Stuttgart, Germany. From July 2004 through May 2006 he was assigned to the Joint Staff. From June 2012 to June 2014 he was assigned as Director of Operations, U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) in Colorado Springs, CO. He was Commanding General for Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center June 2014 – July 2016.

Lieutenant General Craparotta assumed command of U.S. Marine Corps Training and Education Command, on 3 August, 2020.