Colonel Michael Flynt (posthumous) - USAF
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After a long and distinguished career in the Air Force, Colonel Flynt could have simply retired to a life of ease. But living a life of ease was not in his nature. Colonel Flynt was committed to serving his community, his state, and especially his fellow veterans. He served his community and the State of Florida faithfully and well as City Administrator for the City of Valparaiso, through the South Walton Utilities organization, and as a member of the Board of Trustees of Northwest Florida State College.
In all of these capacities, service to veterans, active duty personnel, and their families was at the forefront of his agenda. As a city administrator, he was the top executive in a city populated primarily by veterans. In this capacity, Colonel Flynt went out of his way to ensure a safe and healthy community for veteran residents while also making sure the city was responsive to their needs. Colonel Flynt was well-known in the local veteran community as someone who "would help." As a member of the Board of Trustees of Northwest Florida State College, Colonel worked tirelessly to ensure that veterans had open access to a college education, were able to enroll regardless of their financial condition, had veteran's support services available on campus, were provided the counseling and advising services needed, were assisted with transferring to the next higher level after graduation, were awarded as much credit as possible for military schools completed, and received the help needed to secure employment (for veterans who completed technical and career-oriented degrees). |
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As a member of the Institute of Senior Professionals at Northwest Florida State College, Colonel Flynt used his influence to make sure the Institute took on projects that helped improve the quality of life for veterans and their families in Okaloosa County, Florida. Right up to the moment of his untimely death, Colonel Flynt was working to make life better for veterans in Okaloosa County.
Education and Training Accomplishments:
Professional History:
Advocacy on Behalf of Veterans:
Colonel Flynt is well-known in our community for quietly but steadfastly supporting veterans and their families. In all of the positions—civic and professional—he held prior to his death, Colonel Flynt worked hard to improve the quality of life for veterans, active duty personnel, and their families. As administrator of the City of Valparaiso for seven years—a community that is populated primarily by Air Force veterans—Colonel Flynt worked tirelessly to ensure that their post-military needs were met. As one of the founders of the Choctawhatchee Bay Alliance, Colonel Flynt worked hard to preserve the bay on which so many local veterans in our community live. As a member of the Institute for Senior Professionals, Colonel Flynt convinced the Institute to pursue several projects to improve life for veterans in Okaloosa County. Finally, as a member of the Board of Trustees of Northwest Florida State College, Colonel Flynt was a tireless advocate for veteran students. He worked hard to improve their access to college, provide scholarships to help them pay their tuition, and put in place local policies that supported veterans on campus. Colonel Flynt was a well-known and highly-respected advocate for veterans in our community.
Civic Activities and Contributions:
Awards and Honors:
Education and Training Accomplishments:
- High School Diploma, Southwest Miami High School
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Zoology, University of Florida, 1967
- Master of Arts Degree in Public Administration, Central Michigan University, 1978.
- Master of Arts in Community Leadership - Urban and Regional Planning, Central Michigan University
- Air Force Squadron Officer's School, 1973
- Air Command and Staff College, 1979
- Air War College, 1985
- Masters of Public Administration in Coastal Zone Studies, University of West Florida, 1996
Professional History:
- Commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps as a distinguished graduate in 1967
- Earned his pilot's wings at Moody Air Force Base in 1969
- Assigned to the 8th Military Airlift Squadron, McChord Air Force Base, Washington as a C-141 pilot, upgrading to aircraft commander
- Completed helicopter conversion training at Shepard Air Force Base, Texas in 1971 and was assigned to the 57th Fighter Weapons Wing, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada as a UH-1P pilot
- Assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, 1972
- Upgraded to mission lead and flight examiner and moved to the 56th Special Operations Wing as the Wing's H-53 standardization evaluation pilot
- Assigned to the 6549th Test Wing at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii as recovery aircraft commander, instructor pilot, and mission coordinator, 1973
- United States Readiness Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida as an emergency actions officer.
- Command briefer for the Rapid Deployment Joint Special Operations Planning Workshop Course/U.S. Central Command, 1982
- Director of the Joint Special Operations Planning Workshop at the U.S. Special Forces School, Hurlburt Field, Florida, 1983
- Pentagon Staff. Acting Division Chief and Action Officer in the Psychological Operations Division of the Operations Directorate (J-3), 1986
- Command Support and Coordination Division Chief, Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs Directorate (J-9) of the U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida, 1989
- Commandant, USAF Special Operations School, 1991
- City Administrator, City of Valparaiso, Florida (seven years)
Advocacy on Behalf of Veterans:
Colonel Flynt is well-known in our community for quietly but steadfastly supporting veterans and their families. In all of the positions—civic and professional—he held prior to his death, Colonel Flynt worked hard to improve the quality of life for veterans, active duty personnel, and their families. As administrator of the City of Valparaiso for seven years—a community that is populated primarily by Air Force veterans—Colonel Flynt worked tirelessly to ensure that their post-military needs were met. As one of the founders of the Choctawhatchee Bay Alliance, Colonel Flynt worked hard to preserve the bay on which so many local veterans in our community live. As a member of the Institute for Senior Professionals, Colonel Flynt convinced the Institute to pursue several projects to improve life for veterans in Okaloosa County. Finally, as a member of the Board of Trustees of Northwest Florida State College, Colonel Flynt was a tireless advocate for veteran students. He worked hard to improve their access to college, provide scholarships to help them pay their tuition, and put in place local policies that supported veterans on campus. Colonel Flynt was a well-known and highly-respected advocate for veterans in our community.
Civic Activities and Contributions:
- Board of Trustees, Northwest Florida State College
- Choctawhatchee Bay Alliance (co-founder)
- Institute for Senior Professionals of Northwest Florida State College
- South Walton Utilities
- Choctawhatchee Military Council
- Air Commando Association
Awards and Honors:
- Legion of Merit
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal (with three Oak Leaf Clusters)
- Meritorious Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster)
- Air Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster)
- Air Force Commendation Medal
- Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
- National Defense Service Medal
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
- Resolution for Distinguished Service, Northwest Florida State College