Lurker Just Wants To Say Thanks

Hey everybody. I've been lurking this site for a month or so just reading all the content and some of the posts in the forums. I love the positivity here and the way people get put in their place with the illegitimate complaints. Currently I'm in the army (11B) stationed at Fort Campbell, KY. I will have been in 10 years come Jan 2018 which is my ETS date and hopefully the beginning of a new career on the road. I'm not worried about the home time (the old lady is a trooper and supports me in whatever I do plus her pops was a trucker) I just don't want to move anymore and my back and knees aren't holding up like they used to with body armor and a rucksack on my back. I want to do flatbed as it seems to fit my personality a bit more with the hard work. My buddy highly recommends TMC so I'll apply there as well as a few others. I'll use my GI Bill for CDL school and attend the same one my buddy did. I'm over a year out before I could actually start training with a company so I don't have many questions at this time except, when would be a good time to acquire my CDL?? Would it be best to wait until I'm closer to my ETS, if so how close? or just go ahead and knock it out now? Anyway I just wanted to introduce myself and say thankyou for all the work done on this site and in the forum. I've learned a ton here just from lurking.

I would get it no earlier than 3 months out. Since I live in Clarksville, I am assuming you will go to Miller Motte Technical College. You can of course get your military waiver to not have to take your actual driving test. That way as soon as you get done with your tests at the DMV you will have your CDL. If you have any questions feel free to contact me: 9three1-9eight0-7six3four.

Is that the one in Hopkinsville? I live in clarksville too down off tiny town. I didn't know about the waiver either but I haven't been to the Ed Center at all yet. I appreciate the heads up!

Is that the one in Hopkinsville? I live in clarksville too down off tiny town. I didn't know about the waiver either but I haven't been to the Ed Center at all yet. I appreciate the heads up!

MMTC is on Dunbar cave Rd. The classroom portion. The range is in the industrial park. When looking at companies I would look at companies that have military apprenticeship. Let's you use your GI Bill to get the housing stipend while you are getting paid driving for the company. Schneider also has a great deal for military. Since you are in a non driving MOS they will give 1 for 4 years experience towards pay. With you being in 10 years you will get 2 yrs experience for your pay starting out. Beats starting out on the normal first year pay plan, lol. If you go to MMTC you will see recruiters from May, TMC, Schneider, H.O. Wolding, Werner, Western Express, Marten, R E West, and a few others

I am tracking the apprenticeship that'll let me get BAH. I think TMC has a 2 year program which is great for me. Starting out at 2 years experience pay sounds good too with Schneider. I haven't heard of any benefits like that with other companies but then again I really haven't looked into it. I assume you drive for Schneider?

At this point I'm just anxious to be closer to my ETS so I can get the ball rolling in the next chapter of my life. I'll look into MMTC also, thanks for the info!

Hey everybody. I've been lurking this site for a month or so just reading all the content and some of the posts in the forums. I love the positivity here and the way people get put in their place with the illegitimate complaints. Currently I'm in the army (11B) stationed at Fort Campbell, KY. I will have been in 10 years come Jan 2018 which is my ETS date and hopefully the beginning of a new career on the road. I'm not worried about the home time (the old lady is a trooper and supports me in whatever I do plus her pops was a trucker) I just don't want to move anymore and my back and knees aren't holding up like they used to with body armor and a rucksack on my back. I want to do flatbed as it seems to fit my personality a bit more with the hard work. My buddy highly recommends TMC so I'll apply there as well as a few others. I'll use my GI Bill for CDL school and attend the same one my buddy did. I'm over a year out before I could actually start training with a company so I don't have many questions at this time except, when would be a good time to acquire my CDL?? Would it be best to wait until I'm closer to my ETS, if so how close? or just go ahead and knock it out now? Anyway I just wanted to introduce myself and say thankyou for all the work done on this site and in the forum. I've learned a ton here just from lurking.

IMHO, wait till you're done or almost with the military to get your CDL. Especially if TMC offers a CDL program as part of their school. If you get it too early, you might forget what you don't use, and have issues making it through the training program.

IMHO, wait till you're done or almost with the military to get your CDL. Especially if TMC offers a CDL program as part of their school. If you get it too early, you might forget what you don't use, and have issues making it through the training program.

Makes sense. I'll definitely wait so I don't forget anything. I'd like the transition to be smooth and jump right into orientation as soon as I get out.

I am tracking the apprenticeship that'll let me get BAH. I think TMC has a 2 year program which is great for me. Starting out at 2 years experience pay sounds good too with Schneider. I haven't heard of any benefits like that with other companies but then again I really haven't looked into it. I assume you drive for Schneider?

At this point I'm just anxious to be closer to my ETS so I can get the ball rolling in the next chapter of my life. I'll look into MMTC also, thanks for the info!

I drive for H. O. Wolding. The experience offer from Schneider is only good during your first year out of the military. Same thing for the military waiver for your CDL. When I first got out, I went into Barbering. I spent a year at school and 2 years cutting hair. So I have already been out over 3 years.

A perfect time for you to get your CDL honestly is during your terminal leave. Also any company that has tuition reimbursement will reimburse you what Uncle Sam spends on your school. MMTC costs $4,500.00. Nothing out of pocket for you. Post 9/11 G I Bill covers the whole thing, plus you get to keep your book stipend.

Patrick you are a plethora of information. I will have 75 days of terminal leave so if I can get my cdl while I'm still in I will. That way I can start orientation and training pay won't really be an issue. It will all depend on what my battalion commander will authorize. If not it won't be too much of an issue still plenty of time to do both in 75 days. Any benefit to driving with a trainer during the winter?

I spent 17 1/2 years in the military before getting Med Boarded. Cheap dinks didn't even give me medical retirement. Oh well, I have adapted and overcame.

An advantage to having a trainer with you during winter driving is having someone who knows what to do and how to react. Better than going alone and having your pucker factor turning coal into diamonds.