Sean Flynn was still new to the New York Army National Guard on Sept.11, 2001, when two hijacked planes slammed into New York City’s Twin Towers.
He responded to the aftermath of the attack—dealing with dust and death– and then led a company in the streets of Baghdad and served as executive officer of a battalion in combat in Afghanistan.
Flynn had previously served as an Air Force public affairs officer in Alaska from 1994 to 1997. Then in 2000 –after a break in the inactive reserves–he became 1st Lt. Flynn in the “Fighting 69th”, the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment.
Eventually, he left his career in corporate communications and became a full-time Guardsman, serving as a battalion and brigade commander, and a division chief of staff in Kuwait.
Now, Major General Sean Flynn is the top-ranking American officer in one of NATO’s three allied joint force commands.
Source: DVIDS Marines | Author: Eric Durr | Published: Thu, 26 Feb 2026 09:33:04 -0500