“I did electrical work before I joined the Army. It was commercial industrial nonunion work, and I did that for three years or so at two companies. When I joined the military in 2019, I left the electrical thing alone until I got discharged, but I’ve always been passionate about it.
So when I was in the military, I was looking for a way to get benefits again once I got out. My father-in-law works for the city of Lansing, and he works side by side with IBEW guys. He’s the one who said, ‘Hey, you should look at this.’
I was an infantryman, so there’s not a lot of specific technical skills that pertain to electrical work in that role. But the skills of timeliness and discipline help because in today’s workforce, it’s hard to get people to show up on time. I was instilled with those traits, and that made me stand out.
Helmets to Hardhats was a really nice resource because they would help me figure things out anytime I had a question about my GI Bill or anything like that. And the Transition Assistance Program was great, too — they told us specifically what we could do on the outside that paid well but also gave good benefits. (For more information on resources for veterans, see ‘New Appointee Has Veterans’ Backs’ in the June issue of The Electrical Worker. The article’s subject, Mike Smith, is the IBEW’s first international representative solely focused on veterans affairs, and he can be reached at 202-728-6096 or [email protected].)
The compensation for work as an IBEW member is amazing, and you can’t find it anywhere else. As apprentices, we get paid as we’re learning the trade, and the benefits are tremendous. Just in terms of pensions, we get multiple pensions, plus annuity and 401(k). You know, that really sets you up for life.
In the next two years, I plan to have my journeyman card. I look forward to always having work, especially because in the union you can go anywhere and work anywhere — you’ll never be out of work, even if you have to travel for it. That’s a nice thing to have in your back pocket. And I like doing the work — I love seeing things in progress.
So I’m excited for the next 10 to 15 years doing this work where I am and who I’m with.”
