Retirement – Life after Corporate America

Meet Bill Flynn, Coast Guard Auxiliary Commander, New Bern Flotilla

When Bill and Roberta Flynn retired from their jobs on Long Island, N.Y., they sold their home, purchased an RV and took to the roads. After a year of sightseeing and adventure, they decided that it was time to settle down. Fortunately for us, the Flynn’s settled in Fairfield Harbor, New Bern, NC.

Wanting to give back, Bill incorporated his love of boating and joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary as a volunteer watchstander. This was perfect for Bill since he served four years in the U.S. Navy and spent most of his life “messing around with boats.”

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the dress volunteer component of the U.S. Coast Guard. The primary mission of the auxiliary is the promotion of recreational boating safety, which includes teaching boating courses. Auxiliary members are unpaid volunteers who train, qualify, dress, perform various Coast Guard missions, and work side by side with the active-duty members. With the exception of direct law enforcement and military maneuvers, the auxiliary is authorized by law to perform all missions of the Coast Guard.

Bill’s initial volunteer assignment as a watchstander monitored radio calls for assistance from boaters in need. This activity frees up limited and valuable Coast Guard time for the crews to perform other critical safety and security operations.

Today, Bill is still giving back, and in a big way. He is the Coast Guard Auxiliary Commander, New Bern Flotilla. His duties include overseeing programs, supervising the staff, and setting and managing goals. During Bill’s tenure, the Auxiliary has acquired new life saving equipment and a new boat that was outfitted and prepared for Coast Guard use.

Bill is proud to serve in the Coast Guard Auxiliary and spends approximately 70 hours per month on the job. Bill visits as many Coast Guard stations that he can and recently became qualified to serve as Coast Guard Auxiliary in Maine where his son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter live. Bill loves his volunteer work with the Coast Guard Auxiliary and is having a blast with this phase of retirement while providing a needed community service.