CAREERops Career Opportunities in Piping for Transitioning Veterans Fall/Winter 2018 “I graduated from the first VIP class held at Camp Pendelton. I was active duty for four years and then four years in the Reserves. On my last deployment to Afghanistan, I had a couple of really close calls and that was a real eye-opener for me. I am the only son in my family. I felt it was time to settle down. I was getting out in 2013, the start of the military drawdown. A friend of mine from Local 211 in Houston told me about the program. I just turned 28, and I'm turned out as a journeyman now. My son was born while I was in the VIP program, and he brought a whole new meaning to my life. Now, I have a baby girl on the way. I cannot speak enough about the program. I will always be grateful. I can't thank the UA enough for what they've done. I think a lot of the problems that veterans face once they get out has to do with having nothing to do. The VIP program gives you unique skill sets so that you are set up for a lifelong career. You can provide for your family. It gives you everything you need.” AlonzoGarcia Alonzo Garcia, journeyman pipefitter, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 286, Austin, TX