Today, sixteen marines participating in the Veterans in Piping (VIP) Program at Camp Pendleton will graduate from the 16-week welding curriculum. This is the 23rd VIP class graduating from Camp Pendleton.
The ceremony will be held at the Marine Memorial Golf Course in the Eagles Landing room. Mike Hazard will emcee the ceremony. The keynote speaker is Major Jeffrey Loop, the XO for Lt. Col. S. N. Deputy, the Commanding Officer of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303, the guest speaker is Major General Matt Caulfield USMC (Ret), and the student speaker is Elisabeth Groves.
The VIP Program offers high-quality skills training and jobs in the pipe trades to active duty military personnel preparing to leave the service. Participants in the program receive 18 weeks of accelerated skills training in either welding, HVACR or sprinklerfitting, and earn industry-recognized certifications and college credit as part of their training. Upon graduation, participants gain direct entry into UA apprenticeship programs, which are recognized in the industry as the best in the business.
The program is currently being offered at Camp Lejeune (NC), Camp Pendleton (CA), Joint Base Lewis-McChord (WA), Fort Carson (CO), Fort Hood (TX), Fort Campbell (KY), and Fort Sill (OK).
To learn more about the VIP Program, visit www.uavip.org.
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