In 1988, Flora started his military career in the Virginia National Guard after graduating from the Virginia Military Institute and has since served in every staff position within 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, including as commander of that battalion.

[7] He has also participated in several security cooperation missions with the Republic of Tajikistan as part of the Department of Defense's State Partnership Program.

[9][10] In June 2019, the Senate Armed Services Committee nominated Flora for promotion to major general.

[13] Flora is married to Thuy and they have a daughter named Christine, a paramedic who is currently enrolled in medical school.

His adopted father John Flora graduated from Virginia Military Institute in 1937, was a retired realtor, had been a battalion staff officer with the 116th Infantry Regiment when it landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day.