Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16pitals and industrial locations, such as strip malls and restaurants; resi- dential work that involves apart- ment buildings and multi-unit housing; and office buildings, to name just a few. e work is re- warding from start to finish, and in Tim’s hometown of Wichita, KS, the market is strong. “e instructors were super edu- cated on the subject matter,” Tim said. “While I was in training, it was comforting to know that I would have a guaranteed job at the end, and I would be joining a union ap- prentice program and would receive all of the benefits that go along with that, like health insurance and a pension at the end of my career.” Tim was lucky. He wanted to go home to Wichita, and the UA, in keeping with its goal to place tran- sitioning soldiers in places where they want to go, was able to accom- modate Tim’s request. Tim was employed by Wichita fire protec- tion signatory contractor Mc- Daniel Fire Protection, and once he graduated from the program, he started immediately. McDaniel Fire Protection owner Mike McGuire stated that McDaniel holds about 50 percent of the market in Wichita. He said, “e success of our company stems from excellent cus- tomer service. Typically, we have two-man crews. When everyone else was suffering, due to the downfall in the economy, our customers kept call- ing. Our guys have been busy straight through.” Once Tim started employment with McDaniel, he said his transition was smooth. “I had a great first foreman, Manuel Rodriguez. He let me show him what I had learned in class, what I had already been trained on, and then he would expand on that. My first job was putting in the fire sprinkler system in a remodel of a building. We had to take the old system and lower it while it was still in serv- ice, because it was a strip mall that was still open. I installed the sprinkler heads on that job, but now I’m to a point where I can look at a set of prints, and I’m able to be given some projects to do on my own. Another project was taking a look at a build- ing that had been remodeled and was now having some coverage issues because of the remodel. Some- times when a building is remodeled, putting a new wall in will block an old sprinkler head, so all of that has to be looked at, and we have to install new heads for proper coverage of the building.” During this interview, Tim was working at in- stalling a new fire suppression system in a new YMCA that was being built in the Wichita area. He was on the job with his foreman, John Cartlidge, who is an 11-year UA member. is particular job was estimated to take about two months, which includes the final inspection by the fire marshal. Brother Cartlidge has been with McDaniel for two years, and describes his time as a UA member as a great experience. “e benefits I’ve received have been really helpful. I have two kids, and my younger one had some health issues early on, so those benefits were a lifesaver. I think the VIP program is so beneficial. e knowledge that Tim has received through this program helps me out as a foreman, because he knows some stuff already. I got into it because three of my high school bud- dies were sprinkler fitters, and they told me about the trade. I had gone to college for two years, but it just wasn’t for me. is has been a career that supports my family. We have 400 sprinkler heads to install on this job. We will rough-in the com- plete system, and then do a 200-pound pressure test with the inspector, and then he will inspect everything again once it is completely finished.” Russ Hardy, the UA Sprinkler Fitters Local 669, Columbia, MD, Business Agent, helped facilitate the placement of Tim with McDaniel Fire Protec- tion. “It was a new program, so the contractors were a bit hesitant at first, but Mike stepped up to the plate, and he’s not sorry,” Russ said. “I’ve been to Fort Sill, and I know the instructor there, Robert Carr. I knew him from when he worked in the field, and I knew he’d be an excellent instructor. I think it’s awesome that the UA has these programs. I think we all have to do something to help our very deserving military with a smooth transition. I feel like these candidates have an edge over say someone coming straight out of high school or college. ey’re disciplined. ey know what hard work is, and they take direction really well. e high schools have gotten away from shop classes and classes that expose kids to working with their hands. ese pro- grams are re-introducing those skills to a very de- serving audience.” Tim is well on his way to having a successful ca- reer with the United Association. He hopes to continue with college at night. His interest for the future lies in getting involved with the business side of running a local or to get involved with the local union on the political side. He also said he would love to help with the VIP program to help other transitioning soldiers with a seamless transi- tion to a lifelong career. Career Opportunities in Piping for Transitioning Veterans | Spring/Summer 2016 11 “This career is rewarding, and being in the union, my options for a career path are numerous.” – Tim Moss Mike McGuire, owner, McDaniel Fire Protection Tim Moss