Alexi discovered welding in high school and knew instantly it was the path she wanted to follow. “I fell in love with welding. Always wanted to do it,” she said. Her welding instructor became a mentor, and welding class became the one thing that motivated her to show up every day. 

Still, at 18, she wanted more than school could offer. She longed for independence. “I joined because I wanted to be independent, and that was the fastest way to be independent,” Alexi said. She enlisted in the Navy in 2022, just days after graduating high school. 

Alexi thrived in the structure of military life. She served as a fireman in the engineering department, stationed in Washington and California. “I really enjoyed the military. I mean, there are some downfalls I had to overcome, but the adrenaline rushes, the structure, routines, and having something to lay back on, really was addictive to me. I still miss it.” 

She remembers the rush of responding to emergencies on the ship. “I was in engineering, so when there’s a casualty, like a fire or flooding, I respond. I always miss that. When the bells go up, I always loved that feeling of, ‘let’s go.’” 

Eventually, her service shifted when she became pregnant. Alexi was reassigned to shore duty and later received a medical discharge after two and a half years. Suddenly, the routine and purpose she had built her life around were gone. “It was more of a withdrawal,” she said of leaving the Navy. “I still feel it to this day because it’s going to take a long time, but this is definitely helping me, trying to enjoy civilian life.” 

Alexi knew welding was her future but wasn’t sure how to make the leap. That changed when she discovered Workshops for Warriors, a nonprofit in San Diego that trains veterans and transitioning service members in welding and CNC machining. “I always knew about this place. I saw it was all veteran-based, and I loved it. This is where I go, because veterans understand veterans. Just that easy bond.” 

Starting classes at WFW was a challenge, especially while raising her young son largely on her own. But Alexi found support in her instructors and peers. “They hype you up, make you feel good. The women bringing up women, that definitely helps a lot with confidence and hope that the community of welding is not so masculine. It brings hope that you can be confident as a woman, which helps a lot.” 

The camaraderie reminded her of her time in uniform. “Everyone struggles with something. Everyone understands, no judgment. You can depend on each other because everyone has a sense of family. It’s pretty nice to go to school with someone that’s understanding, non-judgmental, and will help you with anything.” 

Despite long days and little rest, she describes WFW as a refuge. “Coming here makes me forget outside. The instructors, the people, and my classmates make it good.” 

Alexi never lost sight of her dream: working in the shipyard as a welder. That dream became reality when she received a job offer from Huntington Ingalls Industries, the nation’s largest shipbuilder, during a WFW career fair. For her, it was more than a job—it was validation. Huntington Ingalls had been her top choice, the place she had hoped to begin her career. 

Alexi credits WFW with helping her rediscover her confidence and identity after leaving the military. “I think the biggest impact would be giving me a purpose coming out of the military. I had nothing, but now I could have this career. I’m not just a mom that had nothing going on for myself. I could be someone in the trades. They gave me a sense of purpose.” 

Today, she walks with a new confidence. “Coming here really brought me up. I don’t recognize myself from a couple months ago. I feel more joy, more confident. I walk around like, yeah. It makes me happy.” 

Alexi’s journey from Navy fireman to future shipyard welder shows what is possible when determination meets opportunity. For her, WFW provided the bridge between military service and a meaningful civilian career. 

“Veterans understand veterans,” Alexi said. And at WFW, she found both the training and the community she needed to move forward.

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