How Can My Military Truck Driving Experience Be Compared To Civilian Experience?
Topic 1546 | Page 1
Hey Roy. I was never in the military but I can assure you that life on the road in the civilian world doesn't resemble the military world in any way. You're going to have to attend a Company-Sponsored Training Program, go through a private Truck Driving School, or find a small mom-n-pop company somewhere that will give you an opportunity.
The fastest, cheapest way would probably be through a company-sponsored program.
And once you get on with a company you're going to have to go on the road with a trainer for a while anyhow - anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months depending on the company.
Unfortunately I don't know of a way around this. And I can assure you that once you get out there on the highway you're going to realize that civilian trucking is a lot more complex than you expect it to be.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Company-sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
I think TMC and a few other companies have some sort of military program thing. Forgive me for not knowing the details lol.
http://www.tmctrans.com/drive-for-tmc/military-veterans.aspx
I know there are other companies with similar programs, I just can't think of the names. It must be all that chrome I see on the TMC trucks... the glare blocks out other company names!
Trucking Companies, GI Bill, And Military Veterans
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
The VA jobs program may have the companies that will take on military drivers...give 'em a call...
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So I just got my CDL Class A with Tanker/Hazmat/double triple endorsement (thanks very much to this sites free online CDL course, I passed all written exams 90 and above and got a 98 on driving exam) and I have been looking for a job here in San Antonio. Most of my experience have been in the military (approx.. 2-3yrs)and when I try to contact companies, they say they want OTR experience of have gotten my license through a truck driving school. I believe my military experience should out match a civilian 3 week program but then there may be something I'm missing. If anyone has had this experience, know of companies that would accept military experience, or can pass knowledge and guidance, I would greatly appreciate it.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.