Military Outreach Makes Big Impact

Outreach Specialist with the Central Midwest Carpenters, Gavin Gottfried, along with three others across the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC), were given an award for the unwavering support that they have provided to the Military Veterans Program (MVP). They were presented a Flag of Valor by Executive Director of the UBC Millwright/Pile Driver Labor Management, Mark Benacquisto, at the UBC Millwright Leadership Conference held at the Carpenters’ International Training Center in Las Vegas.

The UBC started MVP in 2019 at Fort Cavazos, formerly known as Fort Hood in Texas. There was a need for more opportunities for servicemen and women as they transitioned into civilian life. The UBC worked with the Department of Defense to create an eight-week pre-apprenticeship program for service members interested in the Carpenters Union. The UBC MVP offers tracks in general carpentry, interior systems, millwrights, and piledrivers. The MVP is currently available at five military bases and gives the service member direct entry, with one year of credit, into any apprenticeship across the United States. Service members are ideal candidates for the apprenticeship, as the skills they’ve acquired in the military are easily transferable. Over the past five years, the MVP has graduated 638 service members.

This program has given 638 veterans a career path after active duty, plus a career that offers healthcare, an annuity, a pension, and a brotherhood of support. Gavin said, “When you’re in the military, you know, the people you’re around, you’re living with them, you’re working alongside them, you’re deploying with them, you are with them 24/7, and no one really prepares you that when you get out, you don’t have that anymore.” The UBC continues the strong brotherhood connection military service has given service members over the years. Being able to transition into the apprenticeship program gives the veteran the ability to go straight to work and continue to care for their family with no delays after being discharged.

Gottfried has been given the opportunity to speak with the military service members at Fort Campbell during their last six months of active duty. Gavin is dedicated to his work as an outreach specialist, but he is passionate about the MVP program as a veteran himself. The Marine veteran worked his way through the apprenticeship program while working in the field as a carpenter. After graduating from the apprenticeship, he became a carpentry instructor.

Gavin has said he loves sharing his personal experiences with the MVP apprentices at their graduations, as he stood where they stand and knows just how difficult it can be to transition into life after the military. Gavin explained,“I remember being in that seat, hearing all these people talk, and I’m like, ‘None of this applies to me’; ‘None of this sounds appealing to me.’ But being able to get them that training, get them some type of skills prior to getting out of the military that can directly benefit them when they do get out—that’s what makes it worth it.”

Working with the MVP has given Gavin the opportunity to give back to other veterans by educating them on the possibilities of a career after active duty. His outreach work hasn’t gone unnoticed, and he was recently given an award for his dedication to the program. “That was shocking, to say the least, because I don’t feel like I’m doing anything that most people wouldn’t do. I don’t feel like I’m going out of my way to help them. I enjoy helping them, so whenever they call, I look forward to the opportunities they have for me. I’ll just keep continuing to help them as they need it,” Gavin said about receiving the award.”

“It’s humbling; once again, I’m appreciative that I even get to do it”, Gavin said of his experience as an Outreach Coordinator.