Air Force electrician moving to kaufman tx (Houston, Dallas: 2015, rentals)

[diesel junky]

My family and I will be getting out in feb of 2015 and super excited to be moving to tx.weve decided to move around Dallas for the job aspect but want to live in the country at the same time.i want a house with at least an acre of land and it seems like kaufman is the the closest to Dallas for that and to stay in our 150000 max housing price.
I'm a electrician by trade in the Air Force but I would love to work in the oil feilds.i love hard work and feeling accomplished at the end of the day that's why I love deployments haha.im certified in cpr and sabc with is like trama treatment as an instructor. I'm going to try to get a welding cert and cdl but I want to work mainly on a rig.i have no experience but I have been watching video after video on YouTube haha to get me somewhat ready.
I want to settle down where we want to live and pay on that and me travel to the job site.i really don't want to live in an oil town since we have 2 boys that will be starting school next yr.
So ill finish by saying I'll be a very proud Texas come spring of 2015

[High_Plains_Retired]

Hi Diesel.

First I'd like to say, "Thank you for your service." I was in the Air Force many years ago. I was a crew chief on the now defunct F100 and F111 fighters. I don't know if you worked on aircraft but, if I recall correctly, the aircraft electricians were called avionics technicians. Sometimes I wonder how my life would have turned out had I followed through on my AF training and gone into aircraft maintenance. More money for sure.

Regarding the oil industry, I had a friend out here who worked for many years with an oil company checking the electrical circuits that run along pipelines in northwest Texas and in New Mexico. I believe the circuits were for corrosion control but I never totally understood his work. Right now there seems to be a lot of young folks headed for the Midland/Odessa area. I've even run into two families in this area whose sons have headed down there to work.

I wish I could offer something more constructive but I just wanted to wish you good luck with your after-service pursuits and welcome to Texas.

[diesel junky]

Thank you and thanks for your service.

Im a residential, high voltage, fire/security alarms, motor and controls electrician. We can't get certified on any of it being in the military haha which is a bummer.
I've read the companies want u to live close to feilds is this true? Because driving isn't that big of a deal haha

[diesel junky]

After the oil if I even get in haha.ive been looking for jobs like sunbelt rentals and such in dallas.would that be no for a daily commute because I seen it's a 45 to 1 hr drive one way with out traffic is that correct

[Trainwreck20]

Try for a job in Terrell, Like Conecsus or other local company...

[diesel junky]

That's awesome it seems kind of like a smelting plant right? I'll definitely look into that thanks

[losttechnician]

Check into offshore electrical work. There are numerous contractors that supply electricians to the platforms, as well as company electricians too. Many work a 2week hitch, with 1 or 2 weeks off. Does not really matter where you live as long as you make the heliport on time to leave on your hitch.

Many of the Gulf of Mexico companies like hiring veterans, so you already have a leg up on other folks.

[diesel junky]

Thanks you guys for all the help so fast haha.stupid question do u guys know anyone that works for the offshore or on shore that I could talk to just to get a heads up of what the real task are just not what the online jobs says.the off shore is something I thought about too helicopters and boat rides don't scare me neither does the staying out long periods of time just means I'll have a place to stay and not worry about him rent that onshore has haha

[High_Plains_Retired]

Originally Posted by diesel junky

I've read the companies want u to live close to feilds is this true? Because driving isn't that big of a deal haha

I'm sorry but I only had one cousin who worked in the Texas oil industry and he was on a Gulf oil rig years ago. He used the excellent pay to finish college and then he became a CPA somewhere in Houston.

I truly have no idea what the Texas oil industry expects of their employees but keep in mind out here most people think of a 100 mile trip as a leisurely Sunday drive. Ha! I might agree if it weren't for gasoline prices.

EDIT: Many of the power plants in Texas use electricians as well. I've known a few young fellows who have worked at the coal-powered plants around Muleshoe, Texas. They were not even specialists but they made made very good salaries. I'm sure the same applies to larger places.

[diesel junky]

Haha sounds like montana the next town is like 2 hrs away from the base