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You will do well. Just don't sell your skills cheap, most jobs will want you to test up front.
You may have to spend some time welding coupons for potential employers and if you do a 6G you got a bargaining chip.
That way you know something about what they want and what they are willing to pay for it.
You got the right idea, the more you know and can do the more you are worth.
I would think you should have no problem. I worked construction when I got out and the money was good. It's a much different environment than the military.
Look around your area for paper mills, power plants etc, and check with the local job service. Your other military training and experience may help you get a job in a maintenance environment.
I hope you do well
Gerald Austin
Hi Dave,
I did 4 years in the Navy as an HT (A school and C school 4954 coded welder). When I got out and went to find a job, I found out real quick how much I did'nt know about welding/fabrication. I was able to use the fundamentals of welding learned in the Navy, but out in the real world, every place you go has a different way of doing things. I've found that the most valuable employee is a combination hand. In other words, someone who can weld and fit. Welding/Fabrication is a trade or a uniqe craft, and if you want to excel, you have to want to be a real craftsman who takes pride in creating quality products. After I felt like I had a good understanding of the various aspects of the trade, then I got my CWI , went into Inspection and Quality Control. That has made me a valuable employee and I feel like I have a leg up on someone who has a CWI, but little or no expierience.
The Gulf Coast is coverd with Shipyards, Oilfield Fabrication yards, and every other kind of fab shop you can think of. Most are having trouble finding qualified Craftsmen, and will let you earn while you learn. Flux Core and Mickey Wire (FCAW and GMAW) are the big things down there. I would suggest you practice on those before you get out so you can get hired as a welder first off instead of as a helper. Most places will expect you to pass a Vertical and Overhead full penetration plate test to get hired. A hand who knows how to Carbon Arc Gouge (CAC) is also a big plus. Also practice using a cutting torch to cut, bevel, and wash. A good way to practice is to take an I-beam, cut and cope it so that it fits back into itself in a "T" formation, and then seal weld it in position. If you can do that well, and quickly, you can start off for more money (depending on the company, between $15 to $20 an hour). The best way to make more money starting off is to get with a company who has a lot of overtime. If you can hang, 60 to 80 hours a week, you can pull down some dough. It's hard though! Hot, exhausting, strenuous, dangerous, and dangerous, and very dangerous. You have to be aware of what's going on around you at all times and use all the safety precautions to keep from getting hurt.
The best suggestion I can give is to check out the working conditions before signing on to a new job. There are some real shit-holes out there who don't care a bit about working conditions, they just want mindless slaves.
By the way, all those jerks in the Navy who try to tell you that you can't make it on the outside are just brain washed idiots who don't have a clue.
If you want to work in New Orleans, call Larry Moss at Universal Labor Services. 504-368-7884. That would be a good way to get started until you get a feel for the Industry.
Good Luck!
Tim Gary
Hi Dave,
As a current CWI and and past Welding Instructor and welder/fitter I would suggest that before you consider taking the CWI exam you should jump into a position as a welder. Get to know the industry. Spend a few years fine tuning your skills as a craftsman before you take on the challenge of inspecting the work of experienced welders. In the meantime learn all you can about welding in general and read as much material as you can get your hands on about Nondestructive Testing and Inspection. If you feel that you are ready to take the CWI exam now I highly recommend that you attend the CWI exam preparatory course given by The Hobart Institute of Welding in Troy Ohio (two weeks, 8 hours a day plus several hours of study in the evenings--very intense!) it costs $1245.00 and is worth every penny.