The Department of Defense’s mission is to protect the U.S. The five branches of the Armed Forces carry that out by recruiting, training and deploying our nation’s warriors. Our military has established itself as the best in the world in nearly every category, especially in funding. In 2012, the U.S. spent more on defense than the countries with the next 10 highest defense bud-gets combined, according to CNBC News. If we are so good at accomplishing this mission with the highest funding levels, why do many of America’s warriors struggle to make a successful transition from military to civilian life?
The Army recently revamped its Army Career and Alumni Program into the Soldier For Life program, which mandates all soldiers start the process of transitioning at least 12 months prior to separation, or 24 months prior if they are retiring. One of the most significant improvements to the program is the push for lower- and middle-enlisted soldiers to select and complete craft skills programs offered on base so they are armed with a vocational certification or license prior to leaving the service. Though there are many different vocational training courses offered Army-wide, Fort Polk is quickly becoming the most recognized because of its welding and pipefitting programs. Fort Polk is unique because of its proximity to many new projects in energy and construction. Three companies that have invested heavily in these programs are headquartered just three hours away in Houston. Bechtel and Cheniere Energy led the way by partnering with the Fort Polk Soldier For Life program to offer a Welding Technology Program to active-duty soldiers within six months of discharge.
“The welding program is important because it aligns industry, training and the military in order to provide qualified welders who bring the ethical standards and team mentality the military instills from day one,” said Bechtel’s Deputy General Services Superintendent Darren Amick, who retired from the Army in 2011.
These soldiers come away with not only a new trade but also a new career with Bechtel to help build new natural gas plants for Cheniere Energy. Soldiers are a perfect fit for these skilled trades because of their abilities to show up early, stay late, work in inclement conditions, show respect to their superiors and bring a sharp cognizance of safety to the industry.
Fort Polk’s Soldier For Life Program Manager Tami Culbreath attributes the success of the Career Skills Programs, like the current Welding Technology Program and the soon-to-be Pipefitting Program, will undoubtedly provide “a win-win for industry and soldiers in transition.”
“Partnering with industry and training institutions facilitates success for these soldiers by providing a ‘pathway to employment,’” said Culbreath, who has worked for the Army her entire career.
Global companies like KBR that have a long history of working with the military overseas want to invest in pipefitter training programs to hire more soldiers for their projects in the Gulf Coast region. KBR’s Workforce Development Liaison Heath Culbertson, who is retired Air Force, said there is “an estimated $284.3 billion worth of chemical refinery and LNG export terminal construction in the region, where the pipefitting trade will play a major role.” “The bulk of the highly skilled workforce currently leading these projects has almost reached retirement age, and transitioning soldiers can help fill the gaps quickly should they consider pipefitting as their next career,” he said.
As the Defense Department continues to adapt its military transition programming by allocating more manpower and funding, the energy and construction industries are doing their part to match the commitment by bringing these craft skills programs on-post.
“Just as the mantra of ‘Combined Arms’ in the military, where no one unit can win the battle individually, we must combine government, community and industry efforts to accomplish the mission of helping our soldiers transition successfully,” Amick said.
NextOp is eager to work with new corporate partners and veterans who have made the successful transition into the energy, construction and health care sectors to become mentors for these soldiers.
If you are interested in joining NextOp to hire or mentor veterans, visit www.NextOpVets.org, email info@nextopvets.org or call (832) 735-0051.
