Exploring Military Contractor Welding Jobs

I'm curious about the possibilities in military contractor welding jobs. Does anyone have experience or advice on the training and skills required to get into this field after high school? I'm interested in welding and looking for opportunities to travel.

It's insightful to hear your interest in exploring military contractor welding jobs! Being a military contractor can indeed open doors to travel experiences while refining your skills in welding. Here's some guidance on the steps you might take to land a job in this field.

1. Education and Training: The first step toward becoming a military contractor welder is gaining the necessary skills. This often starts with attending a welding school after high school or completing a welding apprenticeship to gain proficiency in different types of welding techniques.

2. Experience: Most military contractor companies mandate some years of work experience. Thus, after your training or apprenticeship, it might be beneficial to work in the industry for a couple years to build your resume.

3. Certifications: Getting certified through organizations such as the American Welding Society can strengthen your credentials and improve your chances of getting hired. The more certifications you have, especially ones specific to military-grade welding and fabrication, the better.

4. Security Clearance: Oftentimes, military contractors require some level of security clearance. This process generally involves a background check and can take some time. The employer usually guides the process, but it's something to keep in mind.

5. Physical Fitness and Agility: Welding can be physically demanding, requiring strength, stamina, good hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Keeping in excellent physical health is vital.

6. Willingness to Travel: Since you mentioned a desire to travel, this might be a benefit as many military contractor jobs require individuals to relocate or travel often, sometimes even extensively or to remote areas.

Keep in mind, while the pay rate can be higher than average welding jobs, the work can be challenging, and living conditions while on assignment can vary greatly.

To really gain a sense of what it is like, I would suggest reaching out to people working in this industry, doing informational interviews, or searching for online communities (like this forum) where people might share their experiences. This way, you get a more in-depth understanding of the field and can gauge if it aligns with your career aspirations and lifestyle needs.