Veterans Watchmaker Initiative
Veterans Watchmaker Initiative Inc. (VWI)
Expectations.
Whether internal or external, expectations exist. I have often considered that the expectations I set for myself far exceed my expectations of others and, most assuredly, institutions. Suffice to say, that was not always the case, especially in my early days in the Navy. I expected that my leaders knew more than me, could provide more than me, and ultimately teach me. This attitude dimmed a little during my first visit to a firefighting school that all sailors must attend. While taking the course, I quickly realized that not all instructors strive for excellence in their teaching, which leads to not all institutions achieving the same level of excellence.
This discovery drove me to earn an eventual firefighting instructor billet, leading to higher instructor qualifications. Qualifications aside, I decided that I would never mail in a lesson and do my best to deliver quality instruction that emphasized the importance of a topic that could save ships in our fleets and the lives of my fellow Sailors.
Fast forward to 2021 and all the free time I had indoors—no need to elaborate on that as we were all in the same boat. Pun intended.
During a random wristwatch YouTube or Instagram deep dive, I ran across a timepiece that caught my eye. That watch was a P. Dube' Watch Works & Rico's Watch Podcast collaboration: the Tac/SAR (link in the article notes below). The Tac/SAR was initially designed to be a "one-off" original design but blossomed into a small batch of watches. Upon further reading, I realized that a portion of Tac/SAR sales proceeds went to the Veterans Watchmaker Initiative (VWI). I had never heard of the "VWI," and the organization's name intrigued me. I immediately started researching the VWI.
Rico’s Watches Podcast
Initial Impressions
I sent an email to the VWI, and to my surprise, I quickly received a reply from the VWI Director, Mr. Sam Cannan, and we set up the visit. This initial interaction was friendly, professional, and indicative of my entire tour of the VWI. Upon arriving at the VWI, a staff member warmly greeted me and led me to meet Mr. Cannan, whom I will call Sam for the rest of the article because after meeting Sam, that is what he'd like any of us to do.
VWI Schoolhouse
Sam walked me around the VWI and gave me a comprehensive tour of all the facilities. Sam is the Chairman of the Board and Co-Founder of the VWI. Sam's thirty years of experience in the watch industry and enthusiasm are assuredly the energy behind VWI. Sam's zeal, coupled with the staff's willingness to help students, made for a relaxed yet serious learning environment. I could tell that what was going in the building was important to everyone involved.
During the tour, I could tell that thought and planning have gone into VWI to ensure that the students are provided with an environment conducive to learning. The classrooms have state-of-the-art equipment and are organized. VWI can also accommodate disabled students and give all pupils an equal shot at learning the watchmaker's trade.
For a virtual tour of VWI, see the Vortic Watch Company VWI tour video below. Vortic Watch Company has already donated the R.T. Custer Building, a service center on the VWI campus. They are also scheduled to release the Limited Edition Military Edition timepiece on Veteran's Day 2022. $500 from the sale of each of these specialty watches will directly benefit the Veterans Watchmaker Initiative. To date, Vortic Watch Company has donated over $100,000 to VWI!
Vortic Veterans Watchmaker Tour
VWI Courses
I will quickly outline the courses offered by VWI because, as important as the technical aspects of the school are, I believe VWI offers much more than just an institutional education, and I will get to that in the following paragraphs.
1. Dexterity/Aptitude Testing
All students have to pass this to continue
Sam stated that this could usually take up to a day based on the student
If a student is not local to Delaware, VWI can provide food & lodging while the student is in town for testing. The student HAS to cover transportation/travel to Delaware can coordinate that a with Veteran's organizations local to the Veteran
If a potential student has a question, they can call VWI (I will provide all VWI contact information at the end of this article
2. Watch Technician Program:
VWI's "Short Program"
Six (6) week duration/240 hours of intensive training
This program is the final test required by all students of VWI to complete successfully to be considered for the Mechanical Watchmaker Program
Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to complete standard repairs on all types of quartz watches
Allows the graduate to enter the job market as a quartz watch technician
3. (Mechanical) Watchmaker Program:
16 months in length (2560 hours) of intensive watch repair training plus 3 months of Internship (480 hours) for a total of 19 months (3040 hours)
When the student completes the program, they will be fully capable of making any repairs to mechanical or quartz watches
The student will have to satisfactorily complete competency tests as each new module is completed
A comprehensive final exam will have to be passed to graduate from our program
The students during the course will complete a school watch
Investments, Commitments, and Incentives
Make no bones about it. This program is a commitment. More so, it is an investment by the student, the instructors, and possibly the student's families. Speaking with Sam, he reiterated that they also do not give anything away to the students. Sam and the staff set a high standard, and graduates of the VWI courses earn their graduations. After touring the facilities and meeting Sam and the rest of the team and students, I believe the time and hard work are investments well worth it, should a disabled Veteran choose to commit.
I know the program sounds challenging, and it is. Nothing easy is worth doing but did I mention that VWI courses are free to disabled Veterans?
Yeah.
Free.
Food, lodging, education, and a trade in the future, all free.
One other nugget for all you watch collectors and possible students-VWI has partnered with Bulova Watches, the Richemont Group, and Swatch Group. These are some of the biggest names in the watch industry! Their belief in VWI and the education and opportunities provided to disabled Veterans cannot be overstated.
Even with the incentive of some of the biggest watchmakers in the game supporting VWI, I would be remiss if I did not immediately discuss the immense sense of purpose and feeling of familial warmth I experienced at VWI. While the staff and students were serious about learning, it was apparent that the team was there to help the students. The culture at VWI is solid and in good hands with the staff. It was refreshing to see constructive criticism, positive reinforcement, and good old-fashioned banter between the staff and students.
I wholeheartedly believe in the VWI. The VWI is an avenue that can provide disabled Veterans the opportunity to an in-demand career and the personal gratification that comes with having something professionally meaningful in their lives.
The VWI is an investment. A commitment, no doubt about it.
It is an investment in the Veteran by an organization that believes in them, and most importantly, it is an investment by the Veteran in themselves.
I have personally donated some money to the VWI. I believe that much in this program. I will include the donation link below to contribute to VWI. If that is not possible, which is understandable, then please get the word out about the VWI to all the people you can. Money is not the only thing that can help the VWI. Volunteer time and word of mouth can benefit VWI as well.
After speaking with Sam, the most significant need currently are volunteers or people with a background in construction. If any of my readers know anyone in the Deleware/Maryland/Virginia (DELMARVA) region that can help, please have them contact the VWI via the contact information down below. I will also push out some IG posts to see if I can drum up some help in those areas for the VWI.
The VWI is, and I quote Sam, "a second chance for some of these students," and I genuinely believe that. I know if this program had existed when I retired, I would have applied.
In closing, if you know a disabled Veteran that could use this program, please go to the links below and have them check out the VWI.
It could change their life.
“This article was originally released in December 2021. The original article was lost when the website host was changed. ”
