 He has two daughters, Jennifer and Emily and five grandchildren, Kelley, Jillian, Lydia, Max, and Gabrielle.Kinnan's military education includes the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs, Colorado (Class of 1970); "Distinguished Graduate Air Force Squadron Officers School" in 1974, "Air Command and Staff College" in 1976, "Armed Forces Staff College" in 1981, "Distinguished Graduate National War College" in 1990, "Joint Force Air Component Commander Course" in 1995 and "Joint Flag Officer Warfighting Course" in 1997.In his civilian studies, he earned a Master of Science degree in Astronautical and Aeronautical Engineering Purdue University

Kinnan was commissioned a Second Lieutenant upon graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy with the Class of 1970.