Air Force veteran finds second path at TSTC

(NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas) - Rudy Prieto spent 22 years traveling the world with the Air Force, and now he is moving on to his next big adventure: welding.

Prieto, a Cibolo native, retired from the Air Force in July and started the Welding Technology program at Texas State Technical College's New Braunfels campus in September.

"I knew I was going to go into a trade when I came back," he said. "In high school I joked I would be an underwater welder and didn't know that was a real thing."

These days, Prieto is planning to weld, but not underwater.

"I got my scuba certification in Italy and scuba dived in Spain and Croatia," he said. "I have the scuba underwater cert but don't want to do industrial scuba. I want to keep that recreationally."

Prieto was a master sergeant in the Air Force and already used to being around young people before he enrolled at TSTC.

"My favorite thing about my service was working with the airmen," he said. "Talking with the future leaders and getting to know them, speaking real with them, teaching and learning with them."

Prieto said he is glad to be back in Texas after moving his family five times. He offered some advice for people finding their way, advice that he used to give his airmen too.

"Follow your heart, and do what makes you happy," he said.

Welding Technology is available at all 11 TSTC campuses andis one of the college's Money-Back Guarantee programs. The college's commitment to participating students is simple: If they do not have a job in their field within six months of graduation, they will receive a full refund of their tuition. For more information, visit tstc.edu/mbg.

Registration for TSTC's spring semester is underway. To learn more, visit tstc.edu.