Thank you, Mr. Leimkuhler. I guess I'm not sure if it would be worth my time, money, and effort, since PSNS Shop 26 has to follow NAVSEA rules.
As a weldor, I pour my rod can or spool into the joint, if it looks pretty I leave it, if not I grind it till it passes VT, then I sign off on our QA paperwork. Then Code 135 comes in for any other NDT needed. I've not had a joint fail on VT, MT, UT, or RT yet, and due to my size I get stuck in a lot of crappy little holes on patches and joints that get "elevated" NDTs. I typically weld on submarine hull patches, torpedo racks, missile tubes, clad the occasional tank,....
I know a lot of what the AWS requires of their card-carrying weldors is either learned from the Navy, or borrowed by the Navy. I'm not sure that having the AWS say I can do something that NAVSEA trained, tested, and works me out on a daily basis would be of much benefit unless I left the shipyard.
For our VT qualification, we have to pass a J-1 Jaeger vision test, a written test on terminology, and a practical test that has six welds on one plate (all have multiple problems). I have no knowledge of any of the codes and regulations that real-world weldors need to have, all my knowledge, skills and abilities come from training in the Apprentice program in Shop 26, the Weld School at PSNS and from OJT on the waterfront.
I have also discovered that I know nothing about hobby welding. I have no clue what kind of power to run in my new playroom (garage) for welding - everything I use at work is big, and sucks more juice than the main breaker on my house could supply!
Thanks again for your reply- I've saved it for future reference....
Tin Lizzie