When Army Sgt. Hailey Kluckman began planning her transition out of the military, she faced the same challenge that weighs on many veterans: finding a stable job and a new sense of belonging.
For Kluckman, a graduate of Fort Campbell Fire Suppression Class 14 and now a proud member of UA Local 669, the United Association Veterans in Piping (UA VIP) program offered answers to both.
After transitioning out of the military in 2024, Kluckman is now a first-year apprentice living in Clarksville, Tenn., building a new career in the pipe trades. 
Kluckman said graduating from the UA VIP program with a guaranteed job helped her feel prepared for life after the military.
“For more veterans, the first step to getting out of the military is finding a stable job,” she said. “Thanks to the VIP program, I didn’t have to worry about that.”
Kluckman said she felt prepared to start working because the 118 days of training during the UA VIP program gave her a head start and confidence in the trade.
“The UA VIP program also connected me with a great support system to help me with the things no one can prepare for when transitioning out of the military,” she said.
To Kluckman, the UA and the military felt similar. The “mission first” mindset from the military goes a long way on the jobsite, she said.
“One of the best parts about the transition has been moving from one Brotherhood/Sisterhood to another,” she said. “That sense of teamwork and support is still there and it helped make the career shift go a lot smoother for me.”
Kluckman began working immediately after she relocated and has worked on three major projects in Nashville: a high-rise apartment complex, a business center and the new Nissan Stadium.
While there are several DOD SkillBridge programs, UA VIP stood out to Kluckman because it offered unique benefits.
“What really made the UA VIP program stand out to me was the guaranteed job placement almost anywhere in the U.S.,” Kluckman said. “As far as I know, no other SkillBridge program offers that kind of support after graduation. Another big standout was the hands-on training at no cost to soldiers.”
As a woman in the fire suppression trade, Kluckman is part of a growing but still underrepresented group. Her story is a testament to the UA VIP program’s commitment to opening doors for everyone who’s ready to work hard and build a future in the trades.
“To any active-duty service member thinking about joining the UA VIP program, make sure you’re truly ready to put in the hard work after your transition,” she said. “If you are, this program is absolutely for you. It won’t always be easy, but it will set you up for an amazing and rewarding career in any of the trades it offers. The program might seem too good to be true, but it’s real. I honestly wish every service member could experience what the VIP program offers.”
Benefits of the UA
The UA VIP program offers transitioning service members a range of benefits that make it stand out from other career training options.
Graduates are guaranteed direct entry into a UA-registered apprenticeship, giving them a strong, seamless start in their new career. The program also provides industry-recognized certifications and places graduates with a UA signatory contractor for immediate employment.
All of these advantages are available without requiring participants to use any of their GI Bill benefits.
As apprentices, VIP graduates earn competitive union wages and receive high-quality healthcare coverage for themselves and their families once they leave the military.
Active-duty service members looking for a rewarding civilian career are encouraged to apply to the UA VIP program and take advantage of these exceptional opportunities.
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