Student with 2 many options

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Hey guys. Im a student at a 4 Year Technical Highschool In NJ for welding. Im in my Junior year and have already been accepted to the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology in Troy Ohio.  I've always planned on joining the Navy and Becoming A Seabee and welding for the Navy but the smarter choice seems to be going into the field. IN my  4 years ive taken test after test and got many certs At Hobart ill get plenty in my 10-12 month courses there. Including pipe layout. There's more classes I can take but I think im leaning towards Pipelining but have no problem in any other field(I like to work hard). Hobart will help me find a Job but not sure how well that'll workout when it comes to me Going to a pipeline but I don't know what that entails like credentials or if I need my own rig Ect.....  it'd be nice to work outside the field outside the Commercial Plumbing industry(Family Owned Business). Any advice on what Field in the Welding industry I should go, see where Hobart takes me, or if Military even would be appreciated. I don't really have anyone in the Welding field to help me out when it comes to Unions and don't know much about them. Always been around privately owned businesses.   Insight Much Appreciated! Sorry for the Novel.P.S. im looking into buying a F250(or equivalent) for a Rig im assuming id need my own right? I guess it Pay to Play haha insight on that appreciated too!
Reply:Well, there are plenty of people here who can speak to professional welding far better than I however when it comes to military service, I can tell you that there's little that will benefit you more than a successful stint in the service. Even if you're enlisting and have no plans on OCS or making it your future, with a service stint on your record, your opportunities when you leave will be great. It will speak to your ability to take direction, work in a team environment, commit to and complete projects and show your dedication to your country. There's higher education, food, clothes, housing, on the job training all available to you while you're serving and drawing pay and more opportunities when you separate including more educational  and VA benefits. I know I probably sound like a recruitment video but I believe in what the service does for young people and the opportunities for personal and professional growth it provides. In my opinion, it makes an individual stand out from the crowd better than virtually anything else you can do with your early years.Last edited by jlames; 10-12-2014 at 01:37 AM.
Reply:Thank you for the Jlames for the insight and my only problem is if I join I think ill stay haha which isn't a bad thing either. I agree with you that it deffinatlly helps you stand out but I feel unless I become a welder for the Navy ill lose my skills and have to restart and if nothing less ill be4-6 years behind everyone else in the field.   Maybe ill get lucky and be welding who knows what the future holds. Maybe the smart decision would be Navy after Hobart and kiss *** for the job I want lol I have a few connections I have up rank which may not be moral but itll work.   once again thank you for the Insight, you sound like a Veteran I believe so thank you for your service if so.
Reply:A guy with welding experience is a shoe in for a hull tech, (HT rating) in the navy. That is a very easy rating to be assigned to at the MEPS station. Plenty of welding shipboard in both maintenance and repairs while underway and in port. With the benefits and preferences afforded an honorable discharged vet anything but the smallest of companies are inclined to hire such a person over a non vet.SlobPurveyor of intimate unparalleled knowledge of nothing about everything.Oh yeah, also an unabashed internet "Troll" too.....
Reply:Every day in the service is a pay day; an opportunity for learning and to advance and refine your skills in a situation from which, unless you're a total screw-up, you're not likely to get fired. In fact, according to the kids of some neighbors who are now seamen, it's less likely today than it was in the late 70s when I served. Their thought is it's the only place you can really have job security while you're learning how to do things right instead of fast. But I'm neither serving nor young anymore but one thing that has never changed is the fact that life, as someone here has reiterated in his signature line, is a hard taskmaster. She teaches you the lesson only after you've already taken the test and made the mistakes. I was neither enlisted nor a welder. I was an Officer and a pilot so I'm ill-prepared to advise you on your selected MOS nor the issues that accompany enlistment. Others here though are well-eqiupped to do both and available to help. You have to make your own decisions in life so I'll give you the only advice I can; Consider your options carefully. Youth is as fleeting as the decisions you make now are permanent.
Reply:I neglected to mention that Im liking the Coast guard who also has HT as a MOS/job and id prefer that over navy haha nothing against the navy But I have always liked CG standers over Navy in many cases     also ihave a feeling itd be easier then Seabees with the Navy(getting into that is) then coasties with HT.
Reply:Marines have never held anything against the Navy. Someone's always had to get us there so we could take care of the problem. Just kidding. Those days are long gone. Navy, Army, even Coast Guard. A good lot all of them. CG has killer rescue.Last edited by jlames; 10-20-2014 at 12:06 AM.
Reply:Since you seem to have welding mastered you might check into becoming a machinist.  Let the Navy teach you that angle of metal working.  You will get to keep current with you welding skills & certs and get a better and more comprehensive knowledge of metal working