“A welder is someone who does precision guesswork based on unreliable data provided by those of questionable knowledge. You can also call us wizards.” — Unknown (Everyday Power Inspirational Quotes)
Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. (June 18, 2023): This unattributed quote pretty much sums up the challenges faced by Welders, one of the most vital trades in the military. In this photo by Jonathan Mallard, Carlos Ramirez, 502nd Civil Engineer Squadron shop welder attaches a boiler pipe flange at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas. His welding shop was recently recognized for completing more than 1,000 welding jobs so far this year.
While Welders may not enjoy the glamour of fighter pilots, their role in military history is a long and vital one. It is believed that the ancient Egyptians developed a form of welding as early as 4000 BC and it has been used in military applications ever since.
The reason they are called wizards with fire is their ability to mold shape and repair a wide range of metals, usually under the worst of conditions. They are experts at brazing, soldering, and forming metals to aid in different construction efforts that serve military missions worldwide. They create custom parts to repair the structural components of ships, tanks, submarines, landing craft, buildings, and equipment and they install sheet metal products, such as roofs, air ducts, gutters, and vents.
Aboard warships, for example, a Welder works in shifts and may experience some dangers and discomfort on the job plus a lot of physical effort. Welders also work in tight spaces, under intense pressure, and in all-weather environments. The skills they learn while serving Uncle Sam are quite marketable. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, military trained welders are in great demand in manufacturing, especially those employed as pipe, aerospace, military contracting, or as underwater welders. The highest paying welder jobs are in industrial construction with salaries in the six figures.
Today, whether it is repairing a damaged aircraft or structuring a vital part from scratch, the U.S. military depends on professional welders to hold things together.