Profile For EliXusmc

Hi, my name's Reuben, I'm 24. I just recently got out of the Marines as a Sergeant after doing 6 years as a reservist. My MOS was 1345-Engineer Equipment Operator. During my time as a reservist I worked full time for a commercial landscape company, and also did a a few various short duty assignments in the Marines(recruiting duty and spent some time in Norway). I chose to get out of the Marines because it was no longer benefiting me positively(So much more I could say about this).

I recently graduated from a 16 week truck driving school(TDDS) about 1 month ago(Received the top gun award for best student in my class-if that really means anything). I got all my endorsements(Hazmat, Doubles/Triples, & Tanker). I got my TWIC card and I also have a passport.

Since getting my CDL, I began working for a construction company driving dump trucks, using light and heavy machinery, and learning the ropes of the construction industry.

Working in construction is interesting, hard, sometimes fun and sometimes not... I'm not going to say I don't like working in the construction industry; however feel a very strong desire for a different lifestyle at a different pace. I don't like being at home and I'm not happy with living in Ohio where I've lived in the same area for my whole life. What I've observed about the truck driving industry really appeals to me; specifically the appeal of being by myself, away from home for long periods at a time, traveling far distances and being out on "missions". I realize I only have the outward perspective on this industry right now and there's going to be "suck" to it as with most careers.

My current boss strongly wants me to continue working for him and learn a'lot more about construction, but I really feel drawn to entering the trucking world. My boss knows I want to go drive truck, the last thing he told me when we talked about it was that if I stayed working for him until November(3 more months) he would have me sufficiently trained up in construction and bump me up to $18/hour. I went ahead and got pre-hired to go work for Transport America. Transport America told me they don't want to wait much longer for me to put off attending orientation and that the longer I put it off the harder it will be to get hired by a trucking company because of how long I've been out truck driving school.

...So basically what I'm saying is that this is turning out to be a hard choice to make. When I put my full effort into something and apply myself I have the potential to do great and excel. If I enter the trucking industry my ultimate aim would to become and owner operator. I'm glad I found this forum to participate in and learn from; any input would be appreciated. I"ll definitely stick around here if I go into this industry.

-Thank you for reading.