Supervisor at Vought Aircraft Industries
Air Force mechanic uses military maintenance background to build revolutionary new jet aircraft for Vought Aircraft.
by Warren Duffie
Richard Woolverton makes history every day. An employee of Vought Aircraft Industries – which constructs wings and fuselages (to name a few) for contracting firms like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman – Woolverton is helping to build Boeing’s revolutionary new 787 Dreamliner Aircraft, set to launch in 2008.
The first of its kind, the 787 Dreamliner will be made primarily of composites (carbon fiber-reinforced plastic) rather than the aluminum that composes other commercial jets. This will allow it to burn 20 percent less fuel and travel faster, for longer distances.
“This jet is really is a quantum leap in commercial aviation,” says Woolveton, 50, who spent his 27-year Air Force career repairing aircraft. “It also will have 30 percent larger windows and pressurize at lower levels, so your ears and sinuses won’t pop as much.”
On the Job
One of three supervisors in charge of the 70 employees building the 787 Dreamliner, Woolverton normally arrives to work at 5:45 a.m. He first reviews the day’s schedule and decides which employees get what jobs. Then at 6:30 a.m. his crew of 20 or so workers gathers for a safety meeting and to receive job assignments. Afterwards, it’s off to the construction area, where Woolverton spends the day responding to myriad issues and concerns before leaving around 5 p.m.
“The hours are long, but they don’t bother me because I really love my job,” says the former chief master sergeant. “When I first got out of the Air Force, I went into a civil service job and was bored to tears. I needed a challenge, so that’s why I came to Vought. The most rewarding thing is that I’ll be able to fly on this aircraft in a year or so and say I helped build it. That’s very satisfying.”
In Uniform
By 1977 Woolverton had spent two years studying auto mechanics, but wasn’t sure if he wanted to follow in that career path. The 21-year-old Ventura, Calif., native was bored and wanted to see the world. So he enlisted in the Air Force as an air frame mechanic, fixing fuselages on the B-52, KC-135, F-16, and C-17 aircrafts.
But Woolverton only intended to stay in for four years. In 1981 he got out – for only two months: “I got a job at a Pepsi canning plant. That was a big mistake. I spent the day watching cans spin around. I asked myself what I was doing and re-enlisted.”
During his career, Woolverton was stationed in California, England, Korea, and Charleston, S.C., his final duty station. In 2004 he decided it was time to enter the civilian workforce since “I was an old guy in the military, but a young guy in the corporate world.”
The Transition
So Woolverton took transition assistance classes and sought help from his wife, Barbara, who worked in the base’s Family Support Center and was well-versed in the art of résumé-writing. Woolverton also networked with friends and colleagues, which led him to his civil service position.
But within a year, he was bored with the job and began shopping his résumé online and at job fairs. Woolverton also connected with an old Air Force buddy who was employed by a firm working with Vought Aircraft Industries. Convinced Woolverton would make a good employee for Vought, the friend asked the chief master sergeant for a copy of his résumé. Soon, Woolverton was called in for a battery of interviews, and hired within three months.
“I didn’t have an engineering background, but I was very experienced in leading people,” Woolverton says. “That makes military veterans very attractive. Also, we know how to prioritize and multitask. Someone without a military background might be overwhelmed by multitasking, but veterans thrive under pressure and uncertainty.”
Although Woolverton’s current salary is less than a chief master sergeant’s pay, he receives a military pension, which more than offsets the imbalance. In addition, Vought offers a competitive benefits package and great opportunities for advancement.
“If you love a challenge and can run with an assignment, you will get recognized here,” Woolverton says. “This company values the skills and contributions of veterans.”
Woolverton’s Advice
Be prepared. A lot of guys are in denial and wait until the last minute to get ready for civilian life. You can’t do that. Take advantage of TAP and all of the other resources available to you. Otherwise, you’ll just be cheating yourself.”
Be patient. “My problem in transitioning was a lack of patience. I couldn’t understand why human resources people didn’t call me back for interviews immediately. Then I stepped back and realized they had a lot on their plates. Once I calmed down, I was able to relax, and my transition was much less stressful.”