Phelps, who is gay, served in the Marines from 2002 to 2010, including a deployment to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom (helping with logistics) from March 2008 to November 2008. He was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the Operation Enduring Freedom Medal for outstanding military service.
Now as a disabled veteran, Phelps is a mentor for disabled veterans, university students and is a supporter of veterans’ rights, rehabilitation and services.