b'Pete VillanuevaSean turned out as a journeyman in 2015. He became a lead foreman. He said, I did everything from welding to fitting to refrigeration. I always felt it was important for me to set an example for what hiring a VIP would be like for the UA. It was important for me to set up the road for the next Marine, soldier, airman, or sailor. I was determined to learn as much as I could.Seans path as an instructor occurred by acci-dent. He said, Originally, I wasnt interested in teaching. Mike [Hazard] came down to do a video promoting the VIP program. I was asked to inter-view for the video. I knew this would be my chance to thank the membership for this opportunity that has changed my life, so I was happy to be inter-viewed. Since Ive turned out as a journeyman, Ive been able to buy a home. I have three kids, and the amount I earn has made it possible for me to send them to Catholic school, which was important to my wife and me. My wife gets to stay home. I owe everything to this organization. I just spoke fromPete Villanueva instructs a fellow instructor in the Welders Performance the heart. Destructive Testing Mobile Unit on the use of the new equipment.When Sean was asked to become the lead weld-ing instructor for the VIP welding program at Camp Pendleton, he felt honored. I had neverthere wasnt enough work there. My second choice taught before, he said, but I felt that I knewwas Spokane, WA, because I had another friend Marines, and I knew what they needed, and I knewwho was living there, and I said to my wife, At how to weld. Sean was attending the Instructorleast we will know someone. Plumbers and Pipefit- This career takes Training Program as an instructor, teaching classesters Local 44 in Spokane is a smaller local union, to fellow military members from local unionsand I love it. Im a pipefitter, but I have my plumb- persistence and hard across the U.S.ing license too. I like it because of the brotherhood. He concluded by saying, This career takes per- I went into the Marines for the brotherhood, andwork. Marines al-sistence and hard work. Marines already have lead- then you go into the UA, and you experience a ership skills. In the future, we will make an impact,similar comradery. Thats what made me want toready have leader-and Im confident we will be the future leaders ofpursue the instructor side. I had a teaching back-the UA.ground in the Marine Corps. I kept talking aboutship skills. In the Jonathon Hannel was an infantryman with theit because I love to teach. I was always helping oth-Marines for eight years. In 2006, he joined theers in my apprenticeship classes. Our training coor- future, we will make Marines straight out of high school. Completingdinator asked me if I wanted to be an instructor. I the VIP welding program at Camp Pendleton instarted with CPR/First Aid teaching apprentices. Ian impact, and Im 2013, Jonathon transitioned out of the military inbecame certified to teach that class, and now I amcondent we will be 2014. He met Pete Villanueva, another VIP weld- working on getting certified to teach other intro-ing graduate turned instructor, in division school.ductory courses.the future leaders of Jonathon said, Pete went through the programPete Villanueva is a Marine who took his career first and told me about it, and I applied and waspath into his own hands. His drive was noticeablethe UA. accepted. Im from Southern Illinois. When I tran- from the beginning. He graduated from the VIP sitioned out, I originally wanted to go to Indi- welding program. He was so talented that he was a anapolis, but my VIP advisor felt that at the time,welding contestant at the 2016 International Ap-Sean-Keoni Ellis10 opsCAREER'