--- title: Fort Campbell Sprinkler Fitter grads look forward to civilian careers description: The four UA VIP graduates of Fort Campbell’s Sprinkler Fitter Class 7 soon will begin UA registered apprenticeships to prepare for civilian careers. image: https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/VIP%20Fort%20Campbell%20Sprinkler%20Fitter%20grads%20look%20forward%20to%20civilian%20careers.png --- [![United Association Veterans In Piping Program logo](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/uavip-seventeen/logos/uavip-logo.svg "United Association Veterans In Piping Program logo")](https://www.uavip.org/) UNITED ASSOCIATION VETERANS IN PIPING PROGRAM [![Union Plumbers, Fitters, Welders and Service Technicians logo](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/uavip-seventeen/logos/ua-logo-round-w-text-wt.png?width=798&height=798&name=ua-logo-round-w-text-wt.png "Union Plumbers, Fitters, Welders and Service Technicians logo")](https://www.ua.org/) Union Plumbers, Fitters, Welders and Service Technicians [Ë](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/fort-campbell-sprinkler-fitter-grads-look-forward-to-civilian-careers#mobile) ## NEWS AND HAPPENINGS WITH VIP Take a look at some of the newsworthy items for the VIP program. # Fort Campbell Sprinkler Fitter grads look forward to civilian careers - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [ UA Veterans in Piping ](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/author/ua-veterans-in-piping-vip) ###### Jan 12, 2022 2:25:00 PM ![Fort Campbell Sprinkler Fitter grads look forward to civilian careers](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/VIP%20Fort%20Campbell%20Sprinkler%20Fitter%20grads%20look%20forward%20to%20civilian%20careers.png) For the four graduates of Fort Campbell’s Sprinkler Fitter Class 7, the transition to civilian life has been fairly smooth, so far, thanks to the guaranteed job placement provided by the United Association Veterans in Piping (UA VIP) program. ![VIP Fort Campbell Sprinkler Fitter grads look forward to civilian careers](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/VIP%20Fort%20Campbell%20Sprinkler%20Fitter%20grads%20look%20forward%20to%20civilian%20careers.png?width=537&name=VIP%20Fort%20Campbell%20Sprinkler%20Fitter%20grads%20look%20forward%20to%20civilian%20careers.png) After the students transition out of the military, they will enter a UA registered apprenticeship program at an agreed upon location. The graduates chose to join UA Locals in Phoenix, Colorado Springs and Nashville. Through the UA VIP program, the students learned how to install, repair and inspect fire sprinkler fitting systems in order to transition into civilian careers after the military. Over the course of 18 weeks, they trained alongside an experienced journeyman instructor through a combination of classroom experience and hands-on training. Many of the students started out with only a rough understanding of sprinkler fitting. But by the time they completed the UA VIP program, they had a solid foundation for a good paying career after the military. ![Fort Campbell Sprinkler Fitter grads look forward to civilian careers](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Fort%20Campbell%20Sprinkler%20Fitter%20grads%20look%20forward%20to%20civilian%20careers.png?width=583&name=Fort%20Campbell%20Sprinkler%20Fitter%20grads%20look%20forward%20to%20civilian%20careers.png) ## The beginnings of a great UA career After they transition out of the military, the four graduates will go on to join UA registered apprenticeship programs. They will earn a living wage while they learn, with pay gradually increasing as they progress through the program. They will quickly become eligible for quality health insurance for their family. As apprentices, they will contribute to a pension and a 401K for their retirement. Once they become journeymen, the graduates will have numerous opportunities for career progression. Some may go on to own their own businesses, work as foremen or even become instructors themselves in the UA VIP program. The UA VIP program doesn’t just guarantee them a job — it prepares them for lifelong, good paying careers in a field that has strong demand. The UA VIP program offers training in welding, HVACR and fire sprinkler fitting. Training is [happening at select bases throughout the country](https://www.uavip.org/participating-bases). Transitioning active-duty service members become eligible to apply for the program in their last 18 months of service commitment. [![Download Fort Campbell VIP Fire Suppression Program Application Now!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/687120/d29c2b87-0237-4abd-baef-4e9d4d5d4c5c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/687120/d29c2b87-0237-4abd-baef-4e9d4d5d4c5c) [Veterans in Piping (VIP) Program](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/veterans-in-piping-vip-program)  |   [Fort Campbell](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/fort-campbell)  |   [UA Veterans in Piping](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/ua-veterans-in-piping)  |   [UA VIP Program](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/ua-vip-program)  |   [United Association VIP Program](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/united-association-vip-program)  |   [Fire Suppression](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/fire-suppression) ##### Comments ## faq FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS We’re sure you have lots of questions about the VIP Program. A lot of these questions can be answered in our FAQ area. Click the button below to learn more. [faq](https://www.uavip.org/faq) ## Video and Photo Gallery Take a [look](https://www.uavip.org/media-gallery) at everything the VIP program is doing for our returning veterans — through videos and photos. ![VIP Graduate David Adams](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/images/VIP_Graduate_David_Adams_sm.jpg "VIP Graduate David Adams") ![VIP Graduate David Adams](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/VIP_Graduate_David_Adams_sm-large.jpg?width=153&height=217&name=VIP_Graduate_David_Adams_sm-large.jpg "VIP Graduate David Adams") Pipefitters Local 455, St. Paul, MN, Apprentice David Adams (VIP graduate, Wisconsin Welding Class 2) is pictured on the job working for Pioneer Piping, Incorporated (PPI) at the Flint Hills Refinery in MN. ![Camp Pendleton](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/images/Joe_Miller_Butte_MT_2.jpg "Camp Pendleton") ![Camp Pendleton](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Joe_Miller_Butte_MT_2-large.jpg?width=153&height=217&name=Joe_Miller_Butte_MT_2-large.jpg "Camp Pendleton") Camp Pendleton VIP Graduate turned out as Journeyman and makes a life in Butte, MT, with Local 41. ![Orry graduated](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/images/Orry_Camp_Lejeune_02.jpg "Orry graduated") ![Orry graduated](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Photo_Gallery_/Orry_Camp_Lejeune_02_large.jpg?width=153&height=217&name=Orry_Camp_Lejeune_02_large.jpg "Orry graduated") Orry graduated on April 9, 2015 and affiliated with UA Local 455, St. Paul, MN. ![Jerry Heneha](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/images/Jerry_FT_Sill_Class_01.jpg "Jerry Heneha") ![Jerry Heneha](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Jerry_FT_Sill_Class_01-large-1.jpg?width=217&height=153&name=Jerry_FT_Sill_Class_01-large-1.jpg "Jerry Heneha") Sgt. Jerry Heneha, A Battery, 1st Battalion, 31st Field Artillery, puts together a valve system in preparation for his final week of the United Association's Veterans in Piping program at the Industrial Training Complex Photo Credit: Ms. Marie Berberea (TRADOC) ![inaugural Sprinkler](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/images/Fort_Sill_Class_01_800x600.jpg "inaugural Sprinkler") ![inaugural Sprinkler](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Fort_Sill_Class_01_800x600-large.jpg?width=217&height=169&name=Fort_Sill_Class_01_800x600-large.jpg "inaugural Sprinkler") Fort Sill's inaugural Sprinkler Fitter class began on 2 March 2015. ![SFC Michael Olsen](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/images/VIP15FtHood-_104.jpg "SFC Michael Olsen") ![SFC Michael Olsen](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/VIP15FtHood-_104-large.jpg?width=217&height=153&name=VIP15FtHood-_104-large.jpg "SFC Michael Olsen") SFC Michael Olsen and 1SG William Davidson presented their instructors Louis Purcella and Micah Tyler with a momentum from the class. ![SGT Howard Nash](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/images/VIP15FtHood-_055.jpg "SGT Howard Nash") ![SGT Howard Nash](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/VIP15FtHood-_055-large.jpg?width=217&height=153&name=VIP15FtHood-_055-large.jpg "SGT Howard Nash") SGT Howard Nash is headed to Harrisburg, PA, to affiliate with Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 520. ![Gail Pilecki](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/images/VIP15FtHood-_038.jpg "Gail Pilecki") ![Gail Pilecki](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/VIP15FtHood-_038-large.jpg?width=153&height=217&name=VIP15FtHood-_038-large.jpg "Gail Pilecki") Gail Pilecki was so proud of her son, SGT Jeremy Pilecki, on graduation day. SGT Pilecki will make his home in Houston, affiliating with Pipefitters Local 211. ![William Davidson](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/images/VIP15FtHood-_017.jpg "William Davidson") ![William Davidson](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/images/VIP15FtHood-_017-large.jpg?width=217&height=153&name=VIP15FtHood-_017-large.jpg "William Davidson") 1SG William Davidson gave the graduate testimonial. He will remain with his family in Waco, TX, affiliating with Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 529 in Waco, TX. ![Michael Olsen](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/Photo_Gallery_/VIP15FtHood-_077_sm.jpg "Michael Olsen") ![Michael Olsen](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Photo_Gallery_/VIP15FtHood-_077_large.jpg?width=153&height=217&name=VIP15FtHood-_077_large.jpg "Michael Olsen") SFC Michael Olsen and his wife, Amanda, will remain in the area, affiliating with Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 529 in Waco, TX. ![SPC Chad Eberle](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/Photo_Gallery_/VIP15FtHood-_032_sm.jpg "SPC Chad Eberle") ![SPC Chad Eberle](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Photo_Gallery_/VIP15FtHood-_032_large.jpg?width=153&height=217&name=VIP15FtHood-_032_large.jpg "SPC Chad Eberle") Alysa and SPC Chad Eberle will be heading to San Antonio, TX, with Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 142. ![SGT Lawrence Beller](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/Photo_Gallery_/VIP15FtHood-_070_sm.jpg "SGT Lawrence Beller") ![SGT Lawrence Beller](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Photo_Gallery_/VIP15FtHood-_070_large.jpg?width=153&height=217&name=VIP15FtHood-_070_large.jpg "SGT Lawrence Beller") SGT Lawrence Beller, his wife, Brittney, and daughter, Nahla, will be making Houston, TX, their home, affiliating with Pipefitters Local 211. Mouse over thumbnails to view larger videos and photos or view entire [Gallery](https://www.uavip.org/media-gallery). ## News & Happenings ##### [More News & Happenings](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings) ## faq FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS We’re sure you have lots of questions about the VIP Program. A lot of these questions can be answered in our FAQ area. Click the button below to learn more. [faq](https://www.uavip.org/faq) --- ## Video and Photo Gallery Take a [look](https://www-uavip-org.sandbox.hs-sites.com/media-gallery) at everything the VIP program is doing for our returning veterans — through videos and photos. [Gallery](https://www.uavip.org/media-gallery) --- ## News & Happenings [News](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings)