Staff Sergeant Martin J S Flynn

Pte Flynn joined 4 PARA in April 2005, conducting Recruit Training in the UK and Wyoming, USA, prior to attending and completing the Combat Infantryman's Course (CIC) at ITC Catterick.

Cfn Flynn returned to Battalion in 2007 after an absence of 18 months, joining HQ Coy as a Class 3 Armourer, preparing for PDT and Mobilisation on OP HERRICK 8. Cfn Flynn would be compulsory mobilised and conduct PDT and LFTT at Kirkudbright Training Area, before joining 2 PARA in January 2008. He would then deploy to Afghanistan in April 2008 with 2 PARA LAD, and be stationed at the Brigade First Line Armourer's Workshop in Bastion and the surrounding areas.

On returning to the UK, Cfn Flynn returned to DSEME, to carry out further Trade Training and complete his Class 2 Course, prior to attending Pre-Para at Pirbright. Cfn Flynn would remain at Pirbright for 6 weeks as the only Attached Arm on the Parachute Regiment Short Service Engagement Course, prior to attending and passing P Company in November 2008.

Cfn Flynn would attend BPC in August 2009 and be presented his British Parachute Wings. He would then deploy on the 65th Arnhem commemorations and jump onto Ginkle Heide and once again, into the UK on his return.

Cfn Flynn would attend Class 1 in Feb 2010, promoting to L/Cpl and be mobilised once again, for OP HERRICK 13, serving with 216 Signal Sqn as the Brigade Armourer in the Lashkar Gah District. 

During this time serving on OP HERRICK 13, L/Cpl Flynn would be recommended for service in the Regular Army by OC 7 RHA Workshops and would transfer to Regular Service on his return, posting to 7 RHA Workshop REME in June 2011. 

Whilst posted to 7 RHA, L/Cpl Flynn would be trained on L118 Light Gun as a Gun Fitter and be the Class 1 Armourer for the PFPL. L/Cpl Flynn would deploy on OP OLYMPICS as part of the security uplift.

In February 2013, L/Cpl Flynn was posted to 1 PARA, attending the SF Armourer's Course and was promoted to Cpl. Serving with C Coy, he would deploy to Belize, Oman prior to deploying to Afghanistan in 2013, as the Company Armourer. On returning from Afghanistan, Cpl Flynn would return to Belize, for Jungle Training and then deploy to Fort Benning with the 75th Ranger Regiment, earning his U.S Parachute Wings.

Cpl Flynn would attend the Arnhem Commemorations on four occasions and earn Belgium, Canadian, Dutch and German Parachute Wings.

Cpl Flynn would promote to Sgt in 2016 and remain as the Production Sgt until May 2019.

Sgt Flynn was posted back to 7 RHA as the A&G SNCO and would be the Light Gun SME within the Regiment. He would deploy to France, parachuting onto Sannerville DZ on the Normandy Commemorations, then on further exercises to Germany, Holland and Kenya, culminating in jumping into Estonia on OP TRACTABLE.

Sgt Flynn was promoted to SSgt in April 2021, posting to 2 PARA as the Battalion Armourer in June 2021. SSgt Flynn would parachute into North Macedonia, Arnhem and take part in Ex LEAPFEST 2023, as well as take part in the A400 Trials Programme.