--- title: UA VIP Naval Station Norfolk HVAC-R Class 20 reaches halfway mark description: Students in Naval Station Norfolk HVAC-R Class 20 reached the program's halfway point and learned where they will go after leaving the military. image: https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/feature%20images%202023/United%20Association%20Veterans%20In%20Piping%20(UA%20VIP)%20Program%20-%20Naval%20Station%20Norfolk%20HVACR.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-naval-station-norfolk-hvac-r-class-20-reaches-halfway-mark#mobile) ## NEWS AND HAPPENINGS WITH VIP Take a look at some of the newsworthy items for the VIP program. # UA VIP Naval Station Norfolk HVAC-R Class 20 reaches halfway mark - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [ UA Veterans in Piping ](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/author/ua-veterans-in-piping-vip) ###### Sep 19, 2023 11:44:00 AM ![Naval Station Norfolk](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/feature%20images%202023/United%20Association%20Veterans%20In%20Piping%20(UA%20VIP)%20Program%20-%20Naval%20Station%20Norfolk%20HVACR.jpg) Active-duty service members have reached the halfway point of the United Association Veterans in Piping (UA VIP) HVAC-R Class 20 at Naval Station Norfolk. At this point in their training, HVAC-R Class 20 students have learned the basic skills of heating and cooling system maintenance and obtained several industry-recognized skill certifications. As the class progresses, they will work to earn more certifications and further develop their skills and industry knowledge. UA VIP is a [DOD Skillbridge Program](https://skillbridge.osd.mil/) designed to help active-duty service members smoothly transition back into civilian life with guaranteed job placement.  In their last six months of military commitment, any service member can apply for placement in the UA VIP program and begin on-base training in welding, fire suppression or HVAC-R.  UA VIP program locations and trades are currently conducted at select military installations, including:  - [Camp Pendleton, California (Welding) ](https://www.uavip.org/camp-pendleton-vip-opportunities) - [Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington (Welding and HVAC-R](https://www.uavip.org/apply)) - [Fort Carson, Colorado (Welding) ](https://www.uavip.org/fort-carson-vip-opportunities) - [Fort Cavazos, Texas (Welding](https://www.uavip.org/fort-cavazos-vip-opportunities)) - [Camp Lejeune, North Carolina (Welding](https://www.uavip.org/camp-lejeune-vip-opportunities)) - [Fort Campbell, Kentucky (Welding and Fire Suppression) ](https://www.uavip.org/fort-campbell-vip-opportunities) - [Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia (HVAC-R](https://www.uavip.org/norfolk-vip-opportunities))  Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Adam Molina recently earned safety certifications in OSHA-30 and First Aid/CPR/AED.  Soon, he expects to earn HVAC-R industry-recognized certifications in EPA 608, GWP/A2L Refrigerant Safety and UA-51 Brazing.  Molina also received notification of his official placement into a UA-affiliated apprenticeship program with [Pipefitters Local 211](https://www.pipefitterslocal211.com/) in Houston. He will relocate once he graduates from UA VIP and transitions out of the military. The UA apprenticeship program is a [Department of Labor](https://www.dol.gov/) (DOL) registered apprenticeship program. As apprentices, future HVAC-R Class 20 graduates will continue to learn and improve their technical skills and industry knowledge. Through classroom instruction and hands-on training, these individuals will learn from experienced journeymen instructors while they earn a good living wage.  The UA VIP program recognizes the sacrifice, skills and dedication military members bring to the piping industry and wants to equip them with all the resources necessary to succeed.  If you are in your last six months of active service and ready to start planning your future, check out the UA VIP program to see if a pipe career is right for you.  ## A future career with the UA  Once HVAC-R Class 20 students graduate from the UA VIP program and transition out of the military, they will join a UA registered apprenticeship program and begin working for a UA signatory contractor, who will pay them a sustainable living wage. They will also earn excellent full-family medical benefits and retirement benefits including a 401(k) and pension.  UA signatory contractors are dedicated to ensuring safe working conditions for their technicians in accordance with industry safety standards.  Eventually, apprentices will become journeymen, which will open up a variety of career paths for themselves with a potential for further advancement in the HVAC-R industry.  Journeymen HVAC-R technicians can advance into many different roles, including foremen, estimators, superintendents or own their own business as UA signatory contractors. Highly skilled and highly trained HVAC-R service technicians are in demand because they provide essential services for individuals, businesses, healthcare centers and other entities. Those interested in becoming a service technician can do so with peace of mind, knowing they have guaranteed job security.  [![Learn More About The UA VIP Program At Naval Station Norfolk](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/687120/298e795a-1e58-4940-80b5-d9f2da95320d.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/687120/298e795a-1e58-4940-80b5-d9f2da95320d) [HVACR](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/hvacr)  |   [DoD SkillBridge](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/dod-skillbridge)  |   [UA VIP](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/ua-vip)  |   [Naval Station Norfolk](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/naval-station-norfolk)  |   [UA VIP Pipe Trades Accelerated Training](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/ua-vip-pipe-trades-accelerated-training) ##### 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)