Alex VanCampen, an X18 welder, is eagerly anticipating his time in the spotlight during the Aug. 2 keel authentication for Oklahoma (SSN 802) at Newport News Shipbuilding.

VanCampen will weld the initials of Ship’s Sponsor Mary “Molly” Slavonic onto a steel plate that will be permanently affixed to the submarine. At 24 years old and with four years of shipyard work under his belt, he is approaching his high-profile duty with the confidence of a veteran who thrives on pressure.

“It’s going to be fun,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it. I like that pressure, just from being watched.”

VanCampen joined NNS as a welding trainee after successfully completing a program at Tidewater Community College. He now attends The Apprentice School and will graduate in three years. “When I first got here, I was put in with an experienced crew,” he said. “I was the only new person, so I was really blessed having experienced people around me.”

He’s leaning on those colleagues again when it comes to the Aug. 2 keel authentication. “A lot of the more experienced people have been talking to me about it,” he said. “It’s been really nice.”

He explained how welding Slavonic’s initials onto a steel plate compares to his work in the shipyard.

“Normally you want your metal to lay flat” he said. “With the signature welding, you want it to pop up a little bit. That way you have some texture to it. It’s a little different, but it’s still quality work.” Or to put it another way, he said: “It’s the same consistency, but you want to add a little pizzazz to it.”

VanCampen worked in a bakery prior to embarking on a career as a welder.

“When you hear about Newport News Shipbuilding from outside the yard, it’s like this unattainable thing,” he said. “This is the place where you can make a future.”