Proud to Be

by Kelly Flinn

Book Overview

An extraordinary young woman. An extraordinary controversy. This is Kelly Flinn's story--the one she couldn't tell when she was in uniform. "I fell in love with the wrong man."--Kelly Flinn She is the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0375501096
• ISBN13: 9780375501098
• Release Date: November 1997
• Publisher: Random House (NY)
• Length: 259 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

I really enjoyed this book

This book kept my interest from beginning to end. I didn't want to put it down once I started reading it. I was surprised that there weren't more 5-star reviews. Maybe I could relate to her story a bit more because I'm a female who loves flying and I have a high regard for the United States Air Force.

Awesome Book

I really loved this book. She is very forthright about her life and what happened during her scandal. I'd recommend this book to anyone

Flinn's book soars.

Kelly Flinn made history. Fifty years from now, she won't be remembered for the controversey, rather, (despite her own resistance to the title) she'll be mentioned in history books as "the first female bomber pilot".Flinn's book is an amazing account of the sexism that goes on behind the closed doors of today's military. Believe what you want, even if it were all fiction, one should still be appalled that the idea of what's represented in this book is even an option for reality.This book made me upset, angry, and furious at times. It made me feel sorry for every woman that's had to endure the kind of treatment given to females in the military. But most importantly, it made me think.And isn't that what reading books is all about?

Powerful and Revealing

I found myself drawn in by Kelly's writings. She has gone through hell and come out stronger. All women considering the military should read this book. I found her writing to be quite professional and was surprised there was no co-author.

An American Hero....an AMAZING BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Adultery only courts-martial cases are extremely rare in the US military. Yet in the case of Kelly Flinn as the news media often does, it created a self perpetuating feeding frenzy based upon only partial truths. The media's presentation of an adultery only courts-martial was for their own profit. One sure way to go to court-martial for ONLY the charge of adultery would be to be seen having sex on the commanding officer's front lawn during his 4th of July Parade. The reason Ms Flinn went to court-martial was because she disobeyed direct and most importantly, LAWFUL orders! If she was so in love with Mark all she had to do was wait until he was divorced, present proof to her commander, and he would have rescinded his orders. The reason Kelly Flinn went to court-martial was because she disobeyed lawful orders. Is she really the victim the news media made her to be? Curious about how military officers feel about this case? Ask the former Air Force Chief of Staff, now retired General Fogleman about this case. I believe if it had been his decision rather than a civilian politician's, Ms Flinn would have gone to court-martial. If she had, I guarantee you her peers would have sent her to jail and she knows it. Why do you think she went to the news media? The military panel would have convicted her NOT FOR ADULTERY, but because she was a military officer expected to execute lawful orders. And perhaps more significant, as a future aircraft commander she would have had responsibility for NUCLEAR WEAPONS for God's sake! The citizens of the United States cannot accept a standard that allows selective employment of lawful military orders whether male or female. There are simply to many lives at stake. And if all that wasn't embarrassing enough, Ms Flinn went to the United States Air Force Academy where for four years she was taught two standards by which military officers are expected to live, "I will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those among us who do" and there is "No Excuse!" In simple words, live by a higher standard and take responsibility for your actions. Although not ideal, the adultery would have been overlooked IF it had ended simply with adultery. "To Be Proud" is a story about Kelly Flinn, the Air Force, and how the news media used her to make money. For a military officer, there is really no controversy. The military is a profession that requires integrity, honor, and respect among it's officers. How successful would the Gulf War would have been if the officers of the US military individually and selectively followed lawful orders? Desire to read about some military hero's? There are many and among my favorites are: "Beyond Survival" by Comdr. Gerald Coffee, "We Were Soldiers Once...and Young" by Lt. Gen. Harold Moore, "My American Journey" by Gen. Colin Powell, and "It Doesn't Take a Hero" by Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf.