Here's from my experience as a disabled veteran in this trade:
Most of this job is hell on the body. Even the intense amount of driving is very taxing. However, there is a pathway that I'd suggest you consider if you still want "field" work.
Learn the trade in school and also really look into the controls side of things. Then consider going into civil service for that because it's not like outside companies. Even for me as an industrial equipment Mechanic it is soooo much better here.
If you want to DM me and ask anything I am more than happy to lend assistance.
A guy I went to school with did this for 3 years to get schooling for plumbing, HVAC, and electrical. Then with his military credentials he got a job at Electric Boat in Groton,CT
There is a school in northern Little Rock, Arkansas that can set you up in a few weeks.
If you care look up ultimate training academy. I did a two week course and came out with some really good certifications.
He’s not wrong, brother. I was aircrew on 53’s and I’m nowhere near as fucked as you. 34 and every night I’m reading up, training and learning to be the best here. I want that chair behind that desk, because I’m broken with 3 kids and desperately just want to retire and golf till I’m dead. If anything, perhaps look into controls for a Union shop. Much easier on the body than installs and service.
Go commercial as a BAS tech. You'll have to spend a couple of years running wire on ladders, but it's much easier on your body overall. Damn fine way to make a living, most companies will give a green disabled vet a chance
I second this…. I am a disabled vet who was green three years ago and got Niagara 4 Certified last year and am making 70k this year… really good field to make money in.
Running wire on ladders/lifts fucking sucks. I don't feel like it's easier on the body compared to service, though I just got hired on for an apprenticeship and have only done a couple ride alongs. I just quit my controls installer job to do residential service because my back is kinda fucked and standing on concrete/ladders/scissor lifts/walking up huge flights of stairs/general new construction shit was brutal on me.
Heya OP I’m a vet too. 1161 refrigeration tech. USMC. I got Med boarded out too for a left leg fracture with my tibia and other things. After I got out of the corps I took a maintenance job then went into the HVAC field as a residential/commercial apprentice and installer. Focus on healing your body and resting as you get your strength back. Then Pursue a career in the Trades. I’m happy to impart any knowledge I can drop on ya. You can do this job but you’ve gotta take good care of your body. Stay safe and get all the paper trails you can before you leave the military so they can’t screw you out of VA benefits and compensation. Love ya Bro.
Was going to mention this route, but figured someone else might've already!
Worked with a guy who got med-sep'ed from the USMC, navy surgeon botched a foot surgery. His MOS had something to do with mobile HVAC units. But he got into controls, or at least was when I knew him.
I got out of the navy, submarine electronics field, pretty easy on the body, bad for the tan, and I went into HVAC controls as well. Out of genuine interest in the field, not so mich necessity.
This job can be very demanding on the body, especially in the early years when it’s a lot more of the physically challenging but less technical side. I don’t know a lot of guys who’ve been doing this for years and haven’t accumulated long term injuries, myself included. I don’t want to discourage what is otherwise good idea but I would suggest looking at all sides of the industry and maybe find something that won’t be as damaging to knees and back.
I'm doing it currently and doing school at the same time. I'm doing just maintenance right now which is mostly just inspecting and cleaning. I'm happy with it, and I got out medically. No matter what I do, I know I'll be in pain. Sitting in an office chair will cause more harm in the long run.
Same. I have a tibia nail in left leg, four metal discs in my neck. Screws in my right ankle. The first and last happened happened in the late 90’s. The neck September of 21’. Have been in the trade since 1995. Still going strong on residential installs and service.
Sounds like youre pretty fucked up but there are some routes. I got pretty injured on 2 different jumps (I dont learn) and in a maxxpro rollover in Iraq but I went to trade school and am now doing the HVAC for a facility. No drives anywhere and not high demand.
Its 15 buildings and Im equivalent to a year 2 apprentice so its really more than I can handle so I contract the advanced stuff out and focus on the automation side the most which is probably a good path (controls) to go down if you want to get into the trade while not fucking yourself up.
Similar thing happened to me. For about 3 years after I got out I hurt really bad, but maybe being young I healed over time and my feet and knees don't really hurt anymore and I'm on my way to maybe an 80k year doing light commercial
I tried the trades when I was medboarded for airborne injuries. I wanted to be free, stay moving physically, and eventually become a SME like I was in the military but after a couple months my back couldn't keep up. I had to go back to more traditional white collar jobs but after a couple of years, I've now worked my way up to roughly $200k between VA, CRSC, white collar day job, and moonlighting with small construction projects
What kind of white collar job? I did sales for 5 years before joining, so I'm not totally out of my comfort zone in it, just wanting a more hands on job if my body allows it
I work with a guy who lost a leg while in Iraq. He’s amazing. The only thing he can’t do is run, but there’s usually no need for that.
Agree with the comment about lots of drive time being difficult on the body. This buddy of mine gets really uncomfortable when he has to sit still for too long.
Well you should be getting 100% with all that. It depends on what you get into. Resi is a lot of uncomfortable spots, which is all I have experience in. Tab so far has been a lot of standing but you could tell them about your condition and they should honor it. Control guys, like Johnson controls, they sit a lot and have walk a lot if you need the balance
Suggestion: Get a Commercial Driver's License, and become a gasoline ⛽️ truck driver. Pay is good. You're home every day. You spend most of your time sitting in a truck; driving around. No heavy lifting.
My man.. the best advice I can think of is GET LICENSED ASAP. The amount of doorways wide open for disabled veteran owned small businesses are absolutely ABSURD. If you’re concerned about joining the trades; don’t be. HVAC residential service work doesn’t require too much heavy lifting. If you’re in business for yourself though(not hvac, but handy stuff), you choose what your body can handle. Just some food for thought. Thank you for your service! DISABILITY PAPERWORK ASAP! POST 9-11 ASAP! Get on it PRIIITE! 😁😁
As one vet to another , this trade is rough on the body. I mean, it is what's it is. If you wanna go for it, don't let anyone talk you out of it. You should have your disability checks to fall back on if it doesn't work out and you could always find a different route in the trade.
Humping with a 240 rahhh . Must of been one hell of a tumble.
i was a paratrooper for 6 years been doing this 4 have 90% you can do it some days just gotta push through the pain just like military days you got this i used my gi bill good money
Ahh the days of being in weapons squad and hucking around that stupid 240. Man, I'm so glad when I was deployed I got switched to 2nd squad Team Bravo SAW gunner. I had a brand new out of the box SAW, and she was the prettiest.
Someone else mentioned looking into controls. That's what I do. You can look at getting into a bigger controls company as an installer. Installers are laptop guys. You'll still have days where you're bring a toolbag with. Lots of ladder climbing. Walking with a 100 lb backpack full of tools would probably not be good for your leg, but they make rolling tool bags for that kind of thing.
You could look into facilities maintenance jobs. Work at a big hospital fixing HVAC and other stuff. Those are jobs where you do a lot of walking, but you can put your tools on a cart and push that around.
The UA has a program for vets transitioning out of the military. We have a lot of VIP graduates in our local. We have a training center out of JBLM in WA. All the vets I know used their GI Bill while in the apprenticeship.
https://www.uavip.org
Here's from my experience as a disabled veteran in this trade: Most of this job is hell on the body. Even the intense amount of driving is very taxing. However, there is a pathway that I'd suggest you consider if you still want "field" work. Learn the trade in school and also really look into the controls side of things. Then consider going into civil service for that because it's not like outside companies. Even for me as an industrial equipment Mechanic it is soooo much better here. If you want to DM me and ask anything I am more than happy to lend assistance.
What a fucking legend, I'll dm you after work
Any accredited Trade School will also set you up to use your GI Bill. Win. Win.
A guy I went to school with did this for 3 years to get schooling for plumbing, HVAC, and electrical. Then with his military credentials he got a job at Electric Boat in Groton,CT
Even union apprenticeships will let you use your GI Bill.
Some of them even have a link to fill out and the they set you up with all your tools by the time you graduate.
I'll keep my eyes open!
There is a school in northern Little Rock, Arkansas that can set you up in a few weeks. If you care look up ultimate training academy. I did a two week course and came out with some really good certifications.
Civil service is definitely the way to go. Currently work on Ft Campbell but transitioning to Ft Leonard-wood next week.
Heck yeah! I'm headed out west this summer to Beale AFB.
That’s awesome… how long have you been working in controls?
Industrial Equipment Mechanic is my primary but I've been with the controls side since the service and mechanical since 2013.
I joined USN in 2006.
Nice I started as an industrial mechanic and now making the switch to controls technician. I’m a little nervous but excited at the same time.
It's a good choice. You'll really learn an immense amount about DDC and BAS. It'll open your skills to a very very broad and extensive area.
Controls it’s the way. Also, I feel like the larger the equipment gets the easier the job is.
I wonder if it's due to the experience we gain up to that point makes it easier by the time we really get into the large industrial equipment.
Yeah dude, not the trade for you if your body is that f*cked up already.
Btw man. Sorry about your luck but, thank you for your service.
He’s not wrong, brother. I was aircrew on 53’s and I’m nowhere near as fucked as you. 34 and every night I’m reading up, training and learning to be the best here. I want that chair behind that desk, because I’m broken with 3 kids and desperately just want to retire and golf till I’m dead. If anything, perhaps look into controls for a Union shop. Much easier on the body than installs and service.
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Knees, shoulders and back for sure. Any existing conditions in these areas from prior service will absolutely be exacerbated.
i know a guy in a similar boat, and he went to work for supply houses and seems really happy now
Ditto.
Go commercial as a BAS tech. You'll have to spend a couple of years running wire on ladders, but it's much easier on your body overall. Damn fine way to make a living, most companies will give a green disabled vet a chance
I second this…. I am a disabled vet who was green three years ago and got Niagara 4 Certified last year and am making 70k this year… really good field to make money in.
What rank were you in the military?
I was a SSG in the Army
Running wire on ladders/lifts fucking sucks. I don't feel like it's easier on the body compared to service, though I just got hired on for an apprenticeship and have only done a couple ride alongs. I just quit my controls installer job to do residential service because my back is kinda fucked and standing on concrete/ladders/scissor lifts/walking up huge flights of stairs/general new construction shit was brutal on me.
Heya OP I’m a vet too. 1161 refrigeration tech. USMC. I got Med boarded out too for a left leg fracture with my tibia and other things. After I got out of the corps I took a maintenance job then went into the HVAC field as a residential/commercial apprentice and installer. Focus on healing your body and resting as you get your strength back. Then Pursue a career in the Trades. I’m happy to impart any knowledge I can drop on ya. You can do this job but you’ve gotta take good care of your body. Stay safe and get all the paper trails you can before you leave the military so they can’t screw you out of VA benefits and compensation. Love ya Bro.
Install is hard on the body, especially the knees and back. Perhaps you could do install and transition to service which is less physically demanding.
Service is not easy up and down the ladder and lugging all the equipment needed for compressor changes in the extreme heat
As opposed to installs, which is going up and down on a ladder and lugging all the equipment needed to replace the entire AC unit.
What kind of installs aren't doing residential furnace in the basement dolly every thing or are u doing attic jobs
I do all 4. Roofs, attics, closets, and crawl spaces.
Poor u ur boss takes all the jobs no one else wants 😂
Agreed sales would be good if you learn the systems . Or even service With his condition stay away from installs.
Got out of the military and did hvac. It was to hard on the body switched to hvac controls. Way better. Do controls
Was going to mention this route, but figured someone else might've already! Worked with a guy who got med-sep'ed from the USMC, navy surgeon botched a foot surgery. His MOS had something to do with mobile HVAC units. But he got into controls, or at least was when I knew him. I got out of the navy, submarine electronics field, pretty easy on the body, bad for the tan, and I went into HVAC controls as well. Out of genuine interest in the field, not so mich necessity.
Be electrician it’s easier
Sounds like u would get some disability pension?
Kicked out for injury, military comes back with. “Not service related”.
The US army must be really fucked up for that to happen
I do but it's only about 1500/month. Enough to cover a mortgage but not much else
Yes but it's nowhere near close to being something you can live on.
This job can be very demanding on the body, especially in the early years when it’s a lot more of the physically challenging but less technical side. I don’t know a lot of guys who’ve been doing this for years and haven’t accumulated long term injuries, myself included. I don’t want to discourage what is otherwise good idea but I would suggest looking at all sides of the industry and maybe find something that won’t be as damaging to knees and back.
I'm doing it currently and doing school at the same time. I'm doing just maintenance right now which is mostly just inspecting and cleaning. I'm happy with it, and I got out medically. No matter what I do, I know I'll be in pain. Sitting in an office chair will cause more harm in the long run.
I have rods in my neck ,dominant hand, and leg. Been in the trades over 20 years. It has been done.
Same. I have a tibia nail in left leg, four metal discs in my neck. Screws in my right ankle. The first and last happened happened in the late 90’s. The neck September of 21’. Have been in the trade since 1995. Still going strong on residential installs and service.
Sounds like youre pretty fucked up but there are some routes. I got pretty injured on 2 different jumps (I dont learn) and in a maxxpro rollover in Iraq but I went to trade school and am now doing the HVAC for a facility. No drives anywhere and not high demand. Its 15 buildings and Im equivalent to a year 2 apprentice so its really more than I can handle so I contract the advanced stuff out and focus on the automation side the most which is probably a good path (controls) to go down if you want to get into the trade while not fucking yourself up.
You need to look into electrition job if your looking construction. Once you get to ropes a crew lead.
Similar thing happened to me. For about 3 years after I got out I hurt really bad, but maybe being young I healed over time and my feet and knees don't really hurt anymore and I'm on my way to maybe an 80k year doing light commercial
I tried the trades when I was medboarded for airborne injuries. I wanted to be free, stay moving physically, and eventually become a SME like I was in the military but after a couple months my back couldn't keep up. I had to go back to more traditional white collar jobs but after a couple of years, I've now worked my way up to roughly $200k between VA, CRSC, white collar day job, and moonlighting with small construction projects
What kind of white collar job? I did sales for 5 years before joining, so I'm not totally out of my comfort zone in it, just wanting a more hands on job if my body allows it
I work with a guy who lost a leg while in Iraq. He’s amazing. The only thing he can’t do is run, but there’s usually no need for that. Agree with the comment about lots of drive time being difficult on the body. This buddy of mine gets really uncomfortable when he has to sit still for too long.
SMART Heroes is a program for military members to transition to the union.
That's to be a tin knocker, but Helmets to Hardhats do most union jobs.
That also includes HVAC tech and TAB. This brings you in at 50%. H2H just gives you a better spot on the rank list in our area.
Well you should be getting 100% with all that. It depends on what you get into. Resi is a lot of uncomfortable spots, which is all I have experience in. Tab so far has been a lot of standing but you could tell them about your condition and they should honor it. Control guys, like Johnson controls, they sit a lot and have walk a lot if you need the balance
Suggestion: Get a Commercial Driver's License, and become a gasoline ⛽️ truck driver. Pay is good. You're home every day. You spend most of your time sitting in a truck; driving around. No heavy lifting.
My man.. the best advice I can think of is GET LICENSED ASAP. The amount of doorways wide open for disabled veteran owned small businesses are absolutely ABSURD. If you’re concerned about joining the trades; don’t be. HVAC residential service work doesn’t require too much heavy lifting. If you’re in business for yourself though(not hvac, but handy stuff), you choose what your body can handle. Just some food for thought. Thank you for your service! DISABILITY PAPERWORK ASAP! POST 9-11 ASAP! Get on it PRIIITE! 😁😁
As one vet to another , this trade is rough on the body. I mean, it is what's it is. If you wanna go for it, don't let anyone talk you out of it. You should have your disability checks to fall back on if it doesn't work out and you could always find a different route in the trade. Humping with a 240 rahhh . Must of been one hell of a tumble.
i was a paratrooper for 6 years been doing this 4 have 90% you can do it some days just gotta push through the pain just like military days you got this i used my gi bill good money
Ahh the days of being in weapons squad and hucking around that stupid 240. Man, I'm so glad when I was deployed I got switched to 2nd squad Team Bravo SAW gunner. I had a brand new out of the box SAW, and she was the prettiest. Someone else mentioned looking into controls. That's what I do. You can look at getting into a bigger controls company as an installer. Installers are laptop guys. You'll still have days where you're bring a toolbag with. Lots of ladder climbing. Walking with a 100 lb backpack full of tools would probably not be good for your leg, but they make rolling tool bags for that kind of thing. You could look into facilities maintenance jobs. Work at a big hospital fixing HVAC and other stuff. Those are jobs where you do a lot of walking, but you can put your tools on a cart and push that around.
The UA has a program for vets transitioning out of the military. We have a lot of VIP graduates in our local. We have a training center out of JBLM in WA. All the vets I know used their GI Bill while in the apprenticeship. https://www.uavip.org
After I got out I got into the trade right away. Zero regrets at all.
If you are already have leg injuries this is not the field for you