Temporary to Permanent to the Marines, RCP Team Member Plans to Come Back to Ford

May 31, 2023
<2 MIN READ
marine Click to Enlarge

After only 6 months at Ford, Cody Guernsey was promoted from temporary part-time to full-time at Rawsonville Components Plant in February, and while he was excited about continuing his work at Ford, there was something he wanted to do first – serve his country. 

Nineteen-year-old Guernsey is training to become a Marine. At the beginning of April, he reported to boot camp on Parris Island, SC.  

“It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do. My great grandfather was a Marine.”  

Guernsey’s contract will take five years to complete, but he plans on transitioning back into civilian life and returning to Rawsonville after his service. That’s why his Ford training is so important to him.  

Permanent UAW-Ford employees who choose to serve in the Armed Forces of the U.S are able to return to Ford after service and can gain credit to their Ford seniority for their period of service, up to 8 years unless additional criteria are met.  

 Guernsey was interested and he’s thinking ahead – after he’s finished with his enlistment, he plans to enter the skilled trades at Ford. 

Three standardized classes of the UAW-Ford Industrial Readiness Certificate Program are required to earn a position on the facility’s Apprentice Eligibility List. “I’ve already finished one and I have two more to finish and I plan to finish them as soon as I get out of basic training,” he said.  

Guernsey will serve his country while continuing to move up the skilled trades list at the same time, and he hopes to eventually become an electrician or a pipefitter when he returns to Ford. Guernsey says this kind of job gives employees in-demand skills and could offer him additional options even into retirement.  

At 49, I could have 30 years in at Ford and plenty of time to start a business.
Cody Guernsey

For Guernsey, job stability is important and it’s one of the reasons he chose to join Ford Motor Company. He heard a close family friend talk about how Ford treats its skilled tradesmen. He was told that at Ford, skilled tradesmen are a vital part of the manufacturing process and are well compensated for their highly skilled work. Electricians, pipefitters, welders and other tradesmen are critical to ensuring Ford facilities run smoothly, with work assignments that are diverse, challenging and meaningful. 

“You just can’t get better benefits anywhere else,” said Guernsey, referring not only to the skilled trades benefits, but also to Ford's healthcare benefits. 

Rawsonville team members want to thank Guernsey for serving his country and look forward to seeing him return to the plant one day.  

For more information on joining the skilled trades team, please reach out to your local ESSP plant representative or visit www.uawford.org/njap.