April 3 - 7 is Skilled Trades Week at the Memphis District. Skilled Trades Week is dedicated to our skilled trades workforce and recognizing their importance to the Memphis District Team, the USACE mission, and ultimately this Nation. Meet Thomas McNaughton Experience: 9 years in the industry Job Titles: Dredge Hurley Steersman Welder Crane Operator Likes about job/career field: “Welding was always my passion before running a boat and being in the wheelhouse… I’ve always like welding because I like a challenge and I take pride in the end-result – in people having an appreciation for what I’m doing. Overall, I enjoy being a steersman because of the challenge and maintaining the channel for commerce. Many people may not realize how important this channel is to the Nation and how much what we do impacts the river industry and commerce as a whole. In addition to what I like about my roles on the dredge, I enjoy working for USACE because of the people I get to work with. It takes a different kind of person to do what we do, and we’re gone from home for so many months out of the year that we become family, so meeting and working with people you can relate to in that way has been one of the more enjoyable parts of working at the Memphis District.”