Chaelynn Weaver, Military Spouse, Welding Graduate
Growing up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Chaelynn was an athletic child with boundless energy, participating in every sport she could— softball, basketball, football, and cross country. Her competitive spirit and drive were evident from a young age. After high school, she followed an unconventional path, igniting a passion for welding through a program called Anders. “I did welding my junior and senior year. Senior year was basically the same material, so I co-opted out and got a job,” she explains.
Chaelynn spent the next five years honing her craft in micro laser welding, primarily producing surgical parts like spine implants. But her skills didn’t stop there. “We also did TIG welding, but I was certified in laser. I focused on that because there were more laser jobs available,” she recalls. Yet despite her early success, Chaelynn wanted to learn more.
Chaelynn’s introduction to WFW came serendipitously at a job fair. At the time, she wasn’t considering going back to school. But after speaking to her husband, who is in the military, and learning more about the program, something clicked. “I reached out, and they talked to me about school,” she says. That was the beginning of a life-changing decision.
Workshops for Warriors, located in San Diego, California, offers accelerated training programs in CNC machining and welding, specifically for veterans, transitioning service members, and civilians like Chaelynn. The nonprofit equips students with nationally recognized credentials in just 16 weeks, bridging the gap between talent and opportunity in American manufacturing.
For Chaelynn, the move to San Diego represented a new chapter in both her career and her life. Her husband’s military service brought them to the area after a year-long overseas deployment in Bahrain. “It’s nice here, just expensive,” she notes. While her husband focuses on his education in computer science with aspirations to join the Space Force, Chaelynn is forging her own path in welding.
Returning to welding after a hiatus presented initial challenges, but Chaelynn embraced them with enthusiasm. “It’s been great to brush up. I already knew how to stick weld, but when you haven’t done it in so long, you forget. It comes back easily, but you’ve got to get used to doing it physically again,” she says.
The rigorous testing at WFW pushed her limits and prepared her for real-world scenarios. “The tests are more strict here than in high school. I probably would have passed my vertical welds on the first or second try, but my plates were bent wrong, so I had to restart,” she admits. “But it’s okay, more practice.”
Chaelynn is no stranger to breaking barriers. “Besides my first year of welding school, I was the only girl in my class. It was different, but I liked it,” she shares. Her determination to succeed in a male-dominated field is inspirational, and she’s quick to encourage others to consider welding as a career.
Looking ahead, Chaelynn dreams of owning her own business someday. “People need things fixed,” she says pragmatically. While she’s still exploring what her business might focus on, one thing is certain: she’s determined to create a strong and sustainable future for herself and her family.
Her time at Workshops for Warriors has been instrumental in shaping that vision. “The instructors here are great… they tell you not to discriminate against your welds, but I’m always pushing myself to do better,” Chaelynn recalls.
Chaelynn’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, community, and the pursuit of excellence. Her time at Workshops for Warriors has not only reignited her passion for welding but also equipped her with the skills and confidence to tackle whatever challenges lie ahead.
Chaelynn’s journey is just one of many success stories emerging from Workshops for Warriors. Whether you’re a veteran, a transitioning service member, or someone ready to explore a rewarding career in manufacturing, WFW offers the tools, training, and support to help you succeed.