I'm transitioning from the military and looking into the pipefitters. I'm not able to do the VIP program. My end goal is to be a pipe welder above all. There is a 6 month combo pipe welding program I'm interested in, you earn AWS certifications, all 6g, along with OSHA, MSHA, TWIC, Basic Plus, NCCER for pipefitting, boilermaking, and welding, NCCCO for rigging and signaling, I think they now offer it for operating too. All of which would be payed for through my gi bill. Problem is, it would possibly take longer to get into school than the apprenticeship. Would it be possible to take the six months off while an apprentice (still pay my monthly dues) to improve my education in the trade and get those extra certifications and make me a more valuable employee? Or should I just wait it out until I finish my schooling and join the union afterward? Honest and legit feedback would be appreciated.