Charles Flynn was mentored by DARPA Stanley ‘The Pope’ McChrystal.
https://www.golocalprov.com/news/two-ri-brothers-two-usa-generals
Two Brothers - Global Impact
The two brothers have more in common than simply holding some of the highest offices in the US military, though. Both are graduates of the ROTC program at URI and both have served extensive tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. The two also worked very closely together on the staff of retired four-star general Stanley McChrystal—the previous commander of Coalition Forces in Afghanistan. Michael served as his Director of Intelligence, while Charlie—then a colonel—served as his Executive Officer.
Charlie calls McChrystal one of his most respected mentors, and attributes much of his career’s success to the guidance provided by the retired General. Charlie was put under commander McChrystal at a young age, a “sweet spot” as he calls it, “the time when you’re deciding whether or not you want to go for the career.”
In reference to McChrystal and Lt. General John Vines, Charlie states “I would not have enjoyed the successes had they not shaped and molded and influenced me to the degree that they did and still do.”
Charlie also credited his father for his achievements, especially for encouraging him to follow in Michael’s footsteps and enroll in the ROTC program at URI—a program which he has “nothing but good things to say about.” In fact, URI will be inducting Michael into their ROTC Hall of Fame later this month.
Not only did these various mentors guide Charlie in his early military career, they were also a large part of why he stayed for so long. “I enjoy working with young people,” says Charlie, who the opportunity to mentor young men is one of his favorite parts of the job. “I want to help them in the same way many of my former mentors helped guide me” he says.