Discharging from USN and ?'s about real world welding

[caleb.mcanulty]

Hey all, discharging from the military, got over 3 years in, worked at norfolk naval shipyard for 2.5 years, did alot of shipfitting and sheet metal work and alot of experience in all processes, went to a 4 month high pressure pipe welding "C" school which consisted of alot of restricted socket welding and consumable rings. Just a little background there, i know i'm still a rookie but need some guidance on picking and choosing jobs as a welder. Any input will help, thanks so much
-Caleb

[akabadnews]

Go back to the shipyard as a civilian and do more restricted welding. Pipe welding.

You will probably be fast tracked with military service and familiarity with the work.

[Oldendum]

Try Huntington Ingalls Industries (formerly known as Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding) in Newport News. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunting...lls_Industries

[caleb.mcanulty]

Oldendum and akabadnews...Any other ideas aside from yard work?? In my eyes its too slow for me...no offense to anybody who does work in yards but i just want to work somewhere a lil more fast paced

[sky hy ironman]

Caleb checkout helmetstohardhats.org
Be worth your time to see what can be offered across the U.S.

[Burpee]

Cruise Lines

[CEP]

In my eyes its too slow for me...no offense to anybody who does work in yards but i just want to work somewhere a lil more fast paced

I've worked in several Navy yards on construction projects. I always laughed, nice sun shinny day the yards would look like an ant farm, people every where. Cold rainy day, you couldn't find a soul!
What their schedule changes with the weather?

[akabadnews]

You are correct.

I'll PM you.

[Dale Salisbury]

My take is that ideally you want to work for yourself. If done right there is money to be made (and lost if not done correctly). Also if you can locate in an area where there are multifaceted (different types) industries you will come out ahead over the years. Example: In other words, what good would it be to be the best aluminum aircraft welder in the world if the airline industry is in a slump. You need to "arm" yourself with a variety of welding skills. The more you know and are skilled at the more marketable you are. Sounds like you are a good learner and can pick up things quickly - as you already have good experience in a short period of time. For me, the money is in pipe. Stainless pipe, tig welding, x ray quality.
P.S. be careful about throwing around phrases like, "skilled in all process". I am sure you meant to say "all processes used in a ship yard". How many welding process are there? 75, 100, 150 somewhere in there. Most of us, if we count ourselves lucky can say we are proficient in 3 or 4 and have used one or two more.

[Oldendum]

...In my eyes its too slow for me...

Well, Huntington Ingalls is not government, it is private industry. So I would expect the pace to be a bit more rapid.

[akabadnews]

The production is, slightly. There's a lot of down time waiting for the welds to cool, waiting for QA/QC to show up from the other side of the yard, and weather disruptions. Most departments do get rained out.

Sounds like he would be more interested in energy/oil/gas work.

[caleb.mcanulty]

Dale, idealy that's where i'm at right now, still always willing to learn, looking for areas of the country where i can learn and work as much as i can. My knowledge lacks as to where to even start working. And yes haha you are correct about the processes aspect, looking back at what i said now i sound arrogant.
Ironman, thank you the website has already been of great use to me.
And CEP...them boys at the yard will go out of their way to push a job back a week haha
Thanks all for the input it's a world of help, God knows i need it right now

[mikeinoman]

Good luck brother, just remember that the other skills you learned while you we "in" will help you once you get that civilian job

Mike (20 year vet)

[CEP]

CEP...them boys at the yard will go out of their way to push a job back a week haha

Oh I know I've seen some amazing things in those yards! I've been in Hunters Point, Mare Island, PSNS, Bangor, Key Port, and Everett.