Veterans find civilian careers through carpentry program
Transitioning from military service to civilian life can be a daunting challenge for many veterans. The skills they honed in the service, while valuable, don’t always translate directly into civilian careers, leaving some feeling uncertain about their future. A unique program is helping veterans bridge that gap, providing a clear path to a stable and rewarding career.
The Military Veterans Program (MVP), a free eight-week course offered in collaboration with United Brotherhood of Carpenters and the Southern District Training Trust Fund, provides transitioning and recently discharged veterans a jumpstart to a new career. The program introduces participants to the fundamentals of carpentry and millwrighting, and serves as a direct entry point into an apprenticeship program. Graduates gain the skills needed to get to work immediately, start earning a good wage, and continue building their expertise as they progress toward becoming journeymen.
The program is offered in two locations in the southern district: Clarksville, Tenn., near Fort Campbell; and Killeen, Texas, near Fort Hood. Each year, approximately 75 participants graduate from the program at each site.
Journeyman millwright Esther Freeman has been the instructor for MVP in Clarksville for three years. The recent class was her nineteenth cohort to complete the program. Veterans and active-duty service people have always had a special place in Freeman’s heart. “They’ve seen a lot, done a lot. They have dedication. They are willing to go to a degree that most of the population isn’t willing to in order to get a goal accomplished,” she said. “I have a lot of respect for that.”
Freeman said her work is professionally fulfilling, but also deeply personally rewarding. “I am spoiled to have these students. They are respectful, responsible, attentive. They ask great questions and are curious. The world is their oyster and I get to be a part of supporting their transition to an awesome new career where they have versatility and autonomy.”
Her dream for her students is simple. “I want to see them gainfully employed, happy, and feeling at ease in their life,” she said. When she gets calls from MVP graduates who are doing well, working and enjoying their career in carpentry or millwrighting, it is a real boost for Freeman. “I love to hear from them, because I get to see the fruits of their labor and the fruits of my labor. It’s exactly why I do this program.”
From Culinary Specialist to Millwright
Carlos Morales, an Army culinary specialist for eight years, is set to conclude his military service in October. He saw the MVP as a perfect steppingstone to a new career. “I like to challenge myself, troubleshoot, and fix things,” he said, which is what drew him to the millwright component of the program. He will soon begin his apprenticeship training near Nashville and plans to eventually move to Houston, where he sees a lot of career opportunities.
While the math in the program has been a challenge, Morales says the hands-on nature of the curriculum has made it enjoyable. He had no prior welding experience but has grown to love it. “I knew very little of it and I am now getting better at it,” he shared. Morales credits his instructor, Esther Freeman, for her support. “She recognizes individual skills and helps get skills where they need to be.”
A New Chapter for a Stay-at-Home Dad
Jon Gray, a veteran who served in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), has been a stay-at-home dad for the past six years. He learned about MVP from a friend and, after looking up what a millwright was, quickly fell in love with the trade. He found the welding portion the most challenging, but has excelled in the math and systems-based aspects of the curriculum.
Gray, who is from the Clarksville, Tenn., area, plans to stay there and continue his apprenticeship. He is appreciative of the chance to learn a new skill and begin a new chapter, stating, “I am in love with it. Our teacher has been fantastic.”
An Eye-Opening Opportunity
At 41, Carlos Roman is looking for a new path. Originally from Puerto Rico, he joined the military at 35 and has worked in logistics after a career in retail management. The MVP program has helped him get out of his comfort zone and introduced him to a new, promising career. “For anyone that wants to learn, it’s a great program because it opens your eyes,” he explained. “You can see a new path for your life.”
Roman, a hands-on learner, appreciated the camaraderie and competition of the program. While math has been a struggle, the instructors have been “amazing” at helping him and others improve their skills, particularly in welding. “Most people don’t even know what a millwright is,” he said. “The whole experience has been eye opening.” Roman hopes to move to Florida one day to be closer to family and pursue a career there.
A Global Career as a Millwright
Ethan Bucklew, a veteran from Winfield, Louisiana, is a testament to the opportunities available through MVP. Bucklew participated in the program in Killeen, Texas, in 2019 and then completed his millwright apprenticeship in Texas and Louisiana. He has been in the union for five years and has traveled the world for work.
“The MVP program was a really great jump start,” Bucklew said. “In eight weeks, you come out and they’re ready to hand you a job and get you right to work. It was a pretty smooth transition in my opinion.”
Bucklew, who served in the Army in infantry, scouting, and reconnaissance from 2016 to 2020, now balances his millwright career with his service in the Army National Guard. He noted that the travel required for his job can sometimes conflict with his drill schedule, but the skills he’s gained have led to incredible experiences, including working on an oil company’s turbines in Africa and a defense contract at a military base in Germany. It’s not easy to juggle both of his careers, but it is manageable and rewarding, he said.
The MVP Program: A Path to a Rewarding Career
The UBC Military Veterans Program is a free, eight-week program designed for veterans who are transitioning or have recently been discharged from the military. It provides a valuable alternative to traditional post-military employment by offering a career path in carpentry or millwrighting.
The carpentry track includes skills like drywall, acoustic ceiling, flooring, and finish work, as well as an introduction to industrial crane rigging and powered industrial trucks. The program also includes safety certifications like OSHA 10 and First Aid/CPR/AED training.
To be eligible for the program, veterans must be within 180 days of separation or discharge from the military. While a related military occupational specialty is helpful, it is not required. The program prioritizes a good attitude and a willingness to learn.
Veterans may also get credit for their work experience or other training acquired through their military service, allowing them to skip over some of the apprenticeship coursework and shorten the program.
For more information, visit https://ubcmvp.org/.
MVP grads, staff and guests in Clarksville, Tenn., on August 7 (above), and Killeen, Texas on August 8, 2025 (Below).
