Charles A. Flynn

Flynn was raised in Middletown, Rhode Island, and graduated from Middletown High School in 1981.^[4] Flynn received his commission via the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps at the University of Rhode Island in 1985.^[4] He earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Rhode Island in 1985.^[4]

Flynn received a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College in 1997 and a Master of Science in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy from the Joint Advanced Warfighting School within the Joint Forces Staff College of National Defense University.^[4]

At the start of his career, Flynn became qualified as an Infantry officer.^[5] In addition, he completed the Ranger, Airborne, and Pathfinder courses.^[5] His early assignments included: commander of A Company, 4th Battalion, 325th Infantry Regiment and commander of A Company 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.^[5] He also served as operations officer (S-3) of 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment and 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.^[5]

Flynn subsequently commanded 2nd Battalion, 504th Infantry Regiment, which included deployment for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.^[5] He deployed to Iraq again as commander of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.^[5] He later served as executive assistant to the Director of the Joint Staff and executive officer for the commander of International Security Assistance Force, United States Forces – Afghanistan.^[5] Flynn went on to serve as director of the Mission Command Center of Excellence (MCCOE) and acting commander of the United States Army Combined Arms Center.^[5]

As Flynn advanced through the general officer ranks, he served as the 82nd Airborne Division's deputy commander for operations and assistant operations officer for readiness (G-3/5/7) for United States Army Forces Command.^[5] He commanded the 25th Infantry Division from 2014 to 2016, then was assigned as deputy commander of United States Army Pacific.^[5] He next served as assistant deputy chief of staff for operations (G-3/5/7) at Headquarters Department of the Army.^[5] In June 2019, Flynn was assigned as deputy chief of staff for operations (G3/5/7).^[5]

On 30 November 2020, his nomination for promotion to general was submitted to the U.S. Senate and was confirmed by voice vote of the full Senate on 20 December 2020.^[6] On 25 January 2021, the Department of Defense named Flynn as the next commander of the United States Army Pacific at Fort Shafter in Honolulu.^[7] He assumed that command in a change of command ceremony at Fort Shafter, Hawaii on 4 June 2021.^[8]

Flynn retired in 2024.^[9] In June 2024, Flynn was appointed an honorary Officer of the Order of Australia, for distinguished service in fostering and deepening the military relationship between Australia and the United States of America.^[10]