Welding Tips and Tricks

Howdy guys and gals,

Registered a while back just now getting around to doing my intro. Currently living in TN, have been since 2004. Came here from VA (born and raised). Active Army, retire in Sept 2017, cannot wait!!!!!! Prior to joining the MARINES in 1994, I worked as a tank welder in Clarksville VA. After 7+ yrs in the Corps I got out and went to work for a contractor in NC as a pipewelder/halfass fitter. Did that from 2001 to 2004 when I joined the Army and deployed several times. Now I'm close to being paroled and I'm ready to get back to welding, specifically pipe again.

I love the site and youtube channel, both have helped to refresh my memory on quite a few things, even increased my confidence in being able to have somewhat of a seamless transition back into the craft.

I'll be on here quite often now and will undoubtedly be posting from time to time looking specifically for info on the UA and their Apprenticeship program.

Have a good one folks

Welcome! Sounds like the helmets to hard hats might interest you.

Welcome to the forum.

Poland308 wrote:Welcome! Sounds like the helmets to hard hats might interest you.

Yes, thats one route I've looked at. The other is the Veterans in Piping (VIP) program that the United Association (UA) has set up on several Post/Bases. The VIP is basically an accelerated welding course that affords attendees the training and opportunity to get certifications in one to a few UA certs and possibly going into a Local as a 2nd yr Apprentice. Of course getting into the VIP is not a guarantee, there is an interview process just like it would be if one walked into their Local Hall and tried to get hired in, and from what i hear the interviewers are very selective, rightly so.

The great thing is there are a few options, even if its just walking into the hall after some practice and giving the cert test a shot.

i had previous experience so I could have applied to have my time taken off of my apprenticeship. But I found I was learning too much to opt out of the training. Good luck what ever route you chose to go. The rapid vip program would definantly be good batch of practice all at once.

Poland308 wrote:i had previous experience so I could have applied to have my time taken off of my apprenticeship. But I found I was learning too much to opt out of the training. Good luck what ever route you chose to go. The rapid vip program would definantly be good batch of practice all at once.

That's my situation as well Poland308, I have 5+ years experience tucked under my buckle but I feel that with ten+ years out of the loop, the training would prove to be to valuable. I've always had a welder or two at the house and have stayed pretty active with them but when there's a pass or bust on the line, I feel that all the practice and training I can get will pay dividends in the end. It also doesn't hurt that's its free training.

I have a question about the UA apprenticeship in general, but I'm gonna post it over in "Welding General Shop Talk" section.

TN FNG,
I'm also a military retiree, 2012. I'd check out the Ironworkers Union program also. I live in San Diego and they have a great apprenticeship program/training facility here. They have preference for Veterans in their program which may or may not whet your desire to get back into pipe work. Welcome to civilian life soon. I hope the transition is smooth for you.

Cyclefrog

Thanks for the info Cyclefrog, I'll check that out for sure. Yes, pipe is my thing, that's what I want to do. However, IOT make my upcoming transition smoother, just having a job/career lined up before I exit the door will make that possible as you well know.

The end want get here fast enough, It's something I've worked for long an hard and now it's close and time seems to have just slowed to a creep. I'm sure that once I start all the transition/pre-retirement stuff, it'll hit warp speed and I want have enough time to get anything done. I think it's cleverly designed that way. I've gotten all I can get done complete, so now it's waiting for the green light on the other stuff that can't be started till 12 months out.