JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – JBLM will celebrate the graduation of its first Soldiers from the Veterans In Piping (VIP) Welding program during a ceremony May 23 at 2 p.m., at the Southwest Washington Pipe Trades, Local 26, 8501 Zenith Court NE, Lacey, Wash.
The ceremony will recognize 14 active duty Soldiers from JBLM and four Army National Guard Soldiers from Camp Murray who have completed 18 weeks of free pre-apprenticeship training in welding from the United Association of Apprentices and Journeymen of the Plumbing, Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States, Canada and Australia (UA at www.uavip.org).
The UA and JBLM Army Continuing Education System (ACES) have partnered to offer the UA VIP program to transitioning active duty Service members from JBLM in the pipe trades of welding and heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR).
Graduation ceremony Keynote addresses will be provided by Washington State Governor Jay Inslee; Washington’s 10th District Congressmen, Denny Heck (via Skype); and the JBLM Joint Base Commander, Col. H. Charles Hodges, Jr.