Funding for apprenticeship
Donation protected
Wray Schelin’s apprenticeship program for 30 days
In 2015 I was honorably discharged from the military after 5 years of service. Although I had a decent experience in the military I was left with no skills that translated into the civilian sector. I feel into a deep depression and a loss of sense of purpose. Going from being a supervisor of million dollars worth of equipment and multiple sailors to being a civilian, only qualified to be a $12 an hour security guard. After a few months of job searching and coming up empty handed I decided to use my GI BILL. I enrolled at “The Fab School” and found my passion with metal working.
Custom metal fabrication came to me pretty naturally, although not the best I really enjoy it and look forward to make new custom pieces ranging from pinstripping signs to drag racing parts for cars. Its something I always think about and am always researching to find better ways to do it and to perfect my craft.
Upon graduating i was was offered a position working for spacex, a fabricators dream job (or at least mine!). I took the job but after a few months I noticed I still had an itch, I still wanted to be in the military, to be apart of the brotherhood and serve my country. And on a personal level make the ranks within Naval Special Warfare. I decided to go back in as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician. After a year and a half of progressing through “the pipe line” I got injured during training. This injury would soon disqualify me from continuing my training and further more medically seperate me from the military.
I am faced now now with being unexpectedly separated from the military yet again. With out getting into the details this has brought me a great deal of hardship to me....I’ve been diagnosed and suffer from PTSD and major depressive disorder. It’s something I battle every day. Although it hasn’t gotten the best of me yet, some days I find it hard to keep going. I find it extremely hard to see the light in things and to even get out of bed. The one thing that consistently makes me happy however is fabricating, it’s what helps me focus on the future, and with out sounding cliche brings an enormous joy to my heart knowing I made someone happy with something I created specifically for them. I’m going to be honorably discharging from the military again but this time with a skill. A skill I want to further invest in by attending Wray Schelin’s apprenticeship program for 30 days where I will work 10 hours a day learning new skills and methods. Custom metal working is becoming a high demand yet not too many people know how to do it these days. Mr. Schelin is one of the best in the country in this craft. Learning from him will not only increase my knowledge and skill set it will further help me in seeking employment upon separation from the military.
Thank you for reading about my story, any and all help is appreciated. I would also like to offer a custom sign/wall art (size no greater then 36”X48”) of your choosing to the person that donates the most! Thank you again!
In 2015 I was honorably discharged from the military after 5 years of service. Although I had a decent experience in the military I was left with no skills that translated into the civilian sector. I feel into a deep depression and a loss of sense of purpose. Going from being a supervisor of million dollars worth of equipment and multiple sailors to being a civilian, only qualified to be a $12 an hour security guard. After a few months of job searching and coming up empty handed I decided to use my GI BILL. I enrolled at “The Fab School” and found my passion with metal working.
Custom metal fabrication came to me pretty naturally, although not the best I really enjoy it and look forward to make new custom pieces ranging from pinstripping signs to drag racing parts for cars. Its something I always think about and am always researching to find better ways to do it and to perfect my craft.
Upon graduating i was was offered a position working for spacex, a fabricators dream job (or at least mine!). I took the job but after a few months I noticed I still had an itch, I still wanted to be in the military, to be apart of the brotherhood and serve my country. And on a personal level make the ranks within Naval Special Warfare. I decided to go back in as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician. After a year and a half of progressing through “the pipe line” I got injured during training. This injury would soon disqualify me from continuing my training and further more medically seperate me from the military.
I am faced now now with being unexpectedly separated from the military yet again. With out getting into the details this has brought me a great deal of hardship to me....I’ve been diagnosed and suffer from PTSD and major depressive disorder. It’s something I battle every day. Although it hasn’t gotten the best of me yet, some days I find it hard to keep going. I find it extremely hard to see the light in things and to even get out of bed. The one thing that consistently makes me happy however is fabricating, it’s what helps me focus on the future, and with out sounding cliche brings an enormous joy to my heart knowing I made someone happy with something I created specifically for them. I’m going to be honorably discharging from the military again but this time with a skill. A skill I want to further invest in by attending Wray Schelin’s apprenticeship program for 30 days where I will work 10 hours a day learning new skills and methods. Custom metal working is becoming a high demand yet not too many people know how to do it these days. Mr. Schelin is one of the best in the country in this craft. Learning from him will not only increase my knowledge and skill set it will further help me in seeking employment upon separation from the military.
Thank you for reading about my story, any and all help is appreciated. I would also like to offer a custom sign/wall art (size no greater then 36”X48”) of your choosing to the person that donates the most! Thank you again!
Organizer
Andrew Camarillo
Organizer
Niceville, FL
