--- title: UA VIP graduate credits program for creating amazing civilian career description: Sam Phipps joined the UA VIP program while transitioning out of the military, where he learned the skills necessary for a rewarding civilian career. image: https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/IMG_7814.jpg --- [![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/ua-vip-graduate-credits-program-for-creating-amazing-civilian-career#mobile) ## NEWS AND HAPPENINGS WITH VIP Take a look at some of the newsworthy items for the VIP program. # UA VIP graduate credits program for creating amazing civilian career - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [ UA Veterans in Piping ](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/author/ua-veterans-in-piping-vip) ###### Mar 15, 2024 1:45:00 PM ![Sam Phipps with sons ](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/IMG_7814.jpg) Ever since Sam Phipps can remember, joining the military was all he ever wanted to do. It was the only thing he would consider as a career choice, but little did he know it would lead him down an incredible career path he could never have imagined.  ![IMG_7332](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_7332.jpg?width=269&height=273&name=IMG_7332.jpg)Phipps joined the army as an Infantryman directly out of high school. He was stationed at Joint Base Lewis McChord before he was deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 and 2012. Two years later, he decided it was time to transition out of the Army and back into the civilian world. Like most veterans, Phipps was uncertain about what he would do after he left the military. He felt pressured to find a career that would allow him to take care of his family. When Phipps came across the UA VIP program, he thought the program seemed too good to be true.  “For an organization to take the last five months of my military service and teach me a trade, with guaranteed job placement, while still maintaining my benefits from the Army didn’t seem possible,” he said. “Yet, I still went in and applied for the class and hoped for the best.” To this day, Phipps said he is still in disbelief that he was accepted into the program because the program and the UA have completely changed his life. After graduating from the program, Phipps went home to Missouri to start a new life with his newly learned skills. It began in the apprenticeship program at [Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562](https://local562.org/) in Eastern Missouri.![IMG_0377](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_0377.jpg?width=283&height=378&name=IMG_0377.jpg) “To go from wearing that flag every day alongside your brothers and sisters that you’ve gone through Hell and back with is impossible to put into words,” Phipps said about the level of brotherhood that comes with being in the military. It was something he thought he lost, but all of that changed once he arrived at Local 562. “They welcomed me with open arms and gave me all the guidance and resources needed to be successful,” he said. The first thing Phipps learned at Local 562 is that the Brothers and Sisters in the Local are just as important as the quality of their work.  “Thanks to Local 562 for taking a chance on someone they have never met before, I can now provide a life for my two boys that I never had or ever thought was possible,” Phipps said. ## New career opportunities post UA VIP program In the blink of an eye, Phipps’ five-year apprenticeship program was coming to an end and thanks to the UA VIP program, Union Veterans Council and Local 562, new opportunities began to present themselves.  “I found myself with a new career opportunity with the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance that yet again, did not seem real or possible,” Phipps said. “Combining my two biggest passions, the outdoors and labor, is an absolute dream come true.” Phipps said having the ability to put those passions to work to positively impact communities across the country is truly a blessing.  ## Working for the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance Now, Phipps works as the Conservation Programs Manager for the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA), with a mission to unite the union community through conservation to preserve North America’s outdoor heritage.![IMG_7814](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_7814.jpg?width=390&height=520&name=IMG_7814.jpg) This is achieved by bringing together union members to volunteer their time and unique trade skills to complete projects and youth outreach events that improve public access to the outdoors, restore America’s parks, educate future generations of sportsmen and women and conserve healthy wildlife habitats.  Membership in the USA is free for all UA members – a benefit provided by the UA International.  “I urge my UA Brothers and Sisters to use USA as a tool,” Phipps said. “A tool to not only connect with your members and their families outside of the workplace but to create a positive impact on your local community.” To activate your membership, visit [www.usamembership.com](http://www.usamembership.com/). To learn more about what USA does, visit their website at [www.unionsportsmen.org](http://www.unionsportsmen.org/) and read the bi-monthly e-newsletter to see what events, projects and activities the USA has in the pipeline. Phipps encourages all UA members to attend a sporting clay shoot, conservation dinner or volunteer at a USA conservation project or youth outreach event.  “You’ll meet a lot of union members from the UA and other trades and have the opportunity to change the lives of others,” he said.  [Accelerated Welding Training](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/accelerated-welding-training)  |   [Success Stories](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/success-stories)  |   [UA VIP Graduate](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/ua-vip-graduate)  |   [UA VIP Program](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/ua-vip-program)  |   [Union Sportsmen's Alliance](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/union-sportsmens-alliance) ##### 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)