Student-Veteran Oral History Project
Brett Fessler Interview
Interviewer Name
Brittany Smith; Assistant: Kyri Simmons
Context for Interview
Brett Fessler volunteered to be one of the interviewees for Dr. Higbee’s ENGL 468: Oral History course. A series of interviews were conducted by Dr. Higbee’s students in order to study the transition made by student-veterans from the military to college.
Brief Description of Interview
The interview focuses on Fessler’s military experience and his transition to college afterwards. Fessler briefly discusses his family life, and after high school, he enrolled in Northern Kentucky University and then the University of Cincinnati, earning his certification in paramedicine, and he eventually worked as a paramedic and EMT. Later, Fessler became a volunteer firefighter, but after a few years of firefighting he realized that he would not become a paid firefighter, so he joined the Army in 2010. He jumped out of planes and drove a Humvee at Ft. Bragg, NC. He also met his wife during this time. After Fessler got out of the Army, he enjoyed some time to himself before enrolling at the University of South Carolina, Aiken, becoming a nursing major. He plans to pursue his masters after he graduates and also hopes that his family will grow. Brett thinks that USCA’s Student Veteran Success Center does an excellent job accommodating veterans and he believes that other schools should follow USCA’s example.
Location of Interview
RPSEC
Duration of Interview
30 min
Date of Birth
1984
Birthplace
Ft. Thomas, KY
Gender
M
Dates of Service
2008-14
Branch/Units of Service
Army, 82nd Airborne
Theaters/Locations of Service
Ft. Bragg, NC
Highest Rank Attained
Specialist
Major Course of Study
Nursing
Previous College/University Experience
Northern Kentucky Univ., Univ. of Cincinnati
Publication Info
Spring 2019.
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