Re: Changing industries...
Warrior Energy provides uniforms, hard hat, blah blah blah. I've been a Redwing guy too, but have been checking out Danner's line of alloy toe's. Reason being, that's what I use for my military duty, and they've done me well that past several years.
I'm not going to be on a rig per say, but coil tubing. Drilling plugs, extracting tools (line wire losses), etc... 12 on, 4 off. Company provides transportation, hotel, per diem, etc... The yard is literally, 1/2 mile from my house, where I'll park my truck, so miles won't rack up. My buddy, who's been doing this for 5 years now and was a client of mine, supervises for IPS. Last years' gross was 264K, and just got a 36K base raise for 2012.
It's been a hard decision, but I'm tired of letting opportunities pass for lack of taking a risk. The Victoria/Cuero/Goliad/Kennedy area is blowing up with the EagleFord Shale...and theres more below it.