Bethel Marine is First Student Vet to Complete WCSU's Honors Program

Bill Felmer, U.S. Marine and Bethel resident, recently became the first student veteran to complete Western Connecticut State University’s Honors Program while obtaining his bachelor’s degree in political science, according to a U.S. Marine press release.

Felmer, 28, graduated from Bethel High School and was enrolled in a local community college, but dropped out due to lack of interest, according to a statement.

“I got out of high school, and for two years I sat around and did meaningless jobs. I was working at Costco, it was a good job, but I wanted more.”

Felmer’s co-worker was a former Marine who was using his GI Bill to attend college. Felmer’s father and grandfather were also both Marines. After discussing the opportunity with his co-worker, Felmer said he knew what he had to do with his life and contacted his local recruiting office.

During his time in the Marines, he was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. While serving as a turret gunner during a convoy, he was injured when the driver in his convoy swerved to avoid an IED. He was medically evacuated from Afghanistan and recovered from the back injury through physical therapy.

Felmer finished his contract in the Marines and applied to Western Connecticut State University. The Marines provided him with 28 transfer credits toward his degree and, using a combination of his GI Bill, and the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program, he was able to cover the cost of tuition.

Felmer is hopeful about the future and has a number of career opportunities ahead.

“When anyone asks me, at the finish line of my life, ‘how did you get here?’ it’s the Marine Corps, it is just that simple,” he said.

Photo: Official Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Richard Blumenstein