
USAF Veteran, Commercial Diver, and Carpenter's Apprentice
In Oct of 2022 I received my honorable discharge paperwork from the military and headed to Seattle to attend an underwater welding school, DIT. After graduating I entered the underwater welding field with a small company in Alaska. I worked lots of trades there. Our company was located on a remote island with infrequent dive jobs, so in-between work we picked up odds-and-ends for the community. Mainly that entailed carpentry work, but it wasn't uncommon for us to work any paying trade.
I spent a year and a half working Alaska before I decided that the diving career field was too stagnant for my liking. I still wanted to work on the water, and I'd heard other guys around the docks talking about mariner positions. Overhearing them talk about their work led me to research the 3AE position.
I found that a mechanical engineering degree lets applicants test for their 3AE license upon graduating. So, with a new plan set, I left Alaska and picked up work at a whiskey barrel factory back home until I could enroll in my local mechanical engineering program.
Now the time's come for me to find a Co-op opportunity to fulfill my degree, just the same as the cadets at maritime academies do, and I'm hoping to pick up some sea-time for my 3AE requirement. I get four months off from August to December to work next year in 2027 for my co-op, and I'm hoping I'll be able to get back out on the water and work with my hands again for it.
10/2024 - 06/2025
05/2023 - 10/2024
10/2018 - 10/2022
WOODYARD, SHAWN
Production Manager, Supervisor
Kentucky Cooperage
Lebanon, KY
Shawn.woodyard@kentuckycooperage.com
(270) 692-8777
BRIGHT, TODD
Lead Diver, Supervisor
Diversified Diving Services
Ketchikan, AK
(907) 821-0920
RIGONI, TONY
Commercial Diver
Diversified Diving Services
Ketchikan, AK
(414) 731-3049