--- title: UA VIP program taught Army Staff Sgt. a valuable post-military career description: Thanks to the UA VIP program, Army Staff Sgt. Kenneth Sprague is now a fifth year apprentice. The program prepared him for a pipe trades career. image: https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/United%20Association%20Veterans%20in%20Piping%20(UA%20VIP)%20program%20taught%20Army%20Staff%20Sgt.%20a%20valuable%20post-military%20career.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-program-taught-army-staff-sgt.-a-valuable-post-military-career#mobile) ## NEWS AND HAPPENINGS WITH VIP Take a look at some of the newsworthy items for the VIP program. # UA VIP program taught Army Staff Sgt. a valuable post-military career - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [ UA Veterans in Piping ](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/author/ua-veterans-in-piping-vip) ###### Apr 19, 2023 8:45:31 AM ![United Association Veterans in Piping (UA VIP) program taught Army Staff Sgt. a valuable post-military career](https://www.uavip.org/hubfs/United%20Association%20Veterans%20in%20Piping%20(UA%20VIP)%20program%20taught%20Army%20Staff%20Sgt.%20a%20valuable%20post-military%20career.jpg) Thanks to the United Association Veterans in Piping (UA VIP) program, Army Staff Sgt. Kenneth Sprague doesn’t have to struggle to feed his family. Today, he’s a fifth-year apprentice with Pipefitters Local 533 and works for MMC Contractors in Kansas City. And he owes it all to the UA VIP program. ![United Association Veterans in Piping UA VIP Army Staff Sgt. Kenneth Sprague (2)-1](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/United%20Association%20Veterans%20in%20Piping%20UA%20VIP%20Army%20Staff%20Sgt.%20Kenneth%20Sprague%20(2)-1.jpg?width=377&height=442&name=United%20Association%20Veterans%20in%20Piping%20UA%20VIP%20Army%20Staff%20Sgt.%20Kenneth%20Sprague%20(2)-1.jpg) Sprague began his UA VIP training at Fort Campbell in 2019. Over the course of 18 weeks, he studied alongside an experienced journeyman instructor through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experience.  The UA VIP program is a Career Skills Program (CSP) for military transitioning. Sprague said program stood out from other CSP programs because it offered a career with better pay, benefits and a pension compared to other programs he considered. The UA VIP program is designed to prepare transitioning active-duty service members for a career in the pipe trades after the military. It provides a guaranteed job through a UA registered apprenticeship program. Transitioning active-duty service members are invited to apply for the UA VIP program during the last six months of their enlistment period. Training takes place [at select military installations across the country](https://www.uavip.org/participating-bases). It occurs while the military member is still in the service and is considered part of their commitment to their country. ## UA VIP program: An amazing career opportunity During his UA registered apprenticeship, Sprague earned good union pay as he learned. He was quickly eligible for quality healthcare for his family. He began earning a pension and a 401K for his retirement. He earned regular pay raises as he expanded his skillset and advanced through the program. ![United Association Veterans in Piping UA VIP Army Staff Sgt. Kenneth Sprague (1)](https://www.uavip.org/hs-fs/hubfs/United%20Association%20Veterans%20in%20Piping%20UA%20VIP%20Army%20Staff%20Sgt.%20Kenneth%20Sprague%20(1).jpg?width=459&height=550&name=United%20Association%20Veterans%20in%20Piping%20UA%20VIP%20Army%20Staff%20Sgt.%20Kenneth%20Sprague%20(1).jpg) “Thanks to the UA VIP program, the transition to civilian life was smooth and relatively stress-free," he said. “It was like transitioning from one Brotherhood to another,” Sprague said. “The UA VIP program has definitely trained me for the jobs I’ve encountered.” He said he would definitely recommend the UA VIP program to any friends looking to transition from the military to civilian life. “They won't regret it,” Sprague said. “Joining the UA VIP program was one of the best decisions I've ever made. It’s really been an amazing opportunity.” [Learn more about the career training programs the UA VIP program has to offer](https://www.uavip.org/trades-that-ua-vip-offers). [UA](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/ua)  |   [Veterans in Piping (VIP) Program](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/veterans-in-piping-vip-program)  |   [Accelerated Welding Training](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/accelerated-welding-training)  |   [Veteran](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/veteran)  |   [UA VIP](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/ua-vip)  |   [United Association VIP Program](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/united-association-vip-program)  |   [United State Army](https://www.uavip.org/news-happenings/topic/united-state-army) ##### 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)