Adam Rule Becomes his Family’s Fourth- Generation Member Career Opportunities in Piping for Transitioning Veterans | Spring/Summer 2017 Adam Rule 7 at Joint Base Lewis- McChord (JBLM) in Washington State, Army Ranger Adam Rule graduated from the UA’s inau- gural Veterans in Piping® (VIP®) accelerated weld- ing program. is particular graduation was also unique in that it was the first class of graduates who were still on active duty when they partici- pated in the program. In early June 2017, Adam turned out as a welder/pipefitter journeyman for the United Association. He is affiliated with Plumbers, Steamfitters and HVACR Service Tech- nicians Local 393 in San Jose, CA, and he emphat- ically stated that his original decision to join the program was the very best thing he’s done. “It was the best choice I made,” Adam said. “Originally, I wanted to be a fish and game officer, because I love to bow hunt and salmon fish, but it just wasn’t working out. I thought at the time that maybe I would try welding because I had welded in high school and had always liked it. I thought this would be a great way to make the most money.” Adam already had an application in for a local union in Washington State, Plumbers and Steam- fitters Local 26. At the time, he thought he would make Washington his home aer discharging from the Army, but when he saw a promotion for the VIP accelerated welding program on base, he knew it was an unprecedented opportunity that he couldn’t let slip away. He applied and got accepted, and then the real work began. Once Adam completed the program, he had some options. He talked to United Association (UA) VIP representatives who told him that the work in San Jose was booming, and since Adam’s family was in the area, it seemed like the perfect fit to affiliate with Local 393 in San Jose. ey were happy to bring him in. “It’s a lot closer to my family, and there’s so much work here,” Adam said. “You have Google, Face- book, and Apple, and all of the big data centers and offices that support them. It’s Silicon Valley, so when one company expands, it seems like they all follow. e VIP program really accelerated my entry. I was familiar with the union, because I have On May 23, 2013,