Current Military Driver Geting Out Soon
Topic 5314 | Page 1
#1. Semper Fi, Marine #2. can you get this schooling, (diesel tech) while in the service? It just seems that a year from now you would be trained in that and would have more of an idea of whether you want to drive them or work on them. Just a thought.
Welcome to the site, and thank you for your service..
Well have a few questions about starting my career in the industry. I currently am a operator for the marine corp. Mostly drive straight truck but also have a lot of experience with a lowboy as well. I get out of the service next year September and going to go to cdl school. I live and Michigan and worried about finding a good company that will hire a new driver during winter. Also I am mechanically inclined so I know my way around some equipment. Should I go to a diesel tech school after getting my cdl? I know it will look good and I want to use my GI bill. Or should I start driving and go to a tech school later? Thanks
Tyler,
Sorry for the late response. I am currently a Marine and planning a transition as well. If you want to get your CDL and go to diesel tech school, i think your best bet would be to find a CDL school that offers evening or weekend classes and attend while you are still on active duty...maybe even find some part time driving work to get tractor experience and see if you like it. Concurrently, you could get enrolled into diesel tech school and start next fall. In my opinion, it would be very difficult to apply and get set up for tech school while driving full time. You mentioned that since you live in Michigan you're concerned about getting a driving job. Does the same apply for a diesel tech job?
Bottom line: Going to CDL school while on active duty will give you the most options as you approach your EAS. You'll be in a position to drive and make money or enroll in school. Don't make a decision about which career path until you have to.
Just my thoughts. Good luck
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.
Hey guys, 1st off THANK YOU for your service!!!
I have a guy in my class who was in the service...... I overheard the school's owner asking him what type of vehicles he had driven, he stated only the Humvee, owner said if he had been driving the larger trucks he would have been grandfathered in and would not need to go through school for the CDL.
Might be worth you checking it out
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.
Hey guys thanks for the input. Hey Dave good luck to you to and thanks. I'm currently stationed in Hawaii and its difficult to get my cdl out here. Also no colleges for tech school out here. I had a buddy just get out and was waivered for Texas cdl since he was a driver in the service as well. BUT according to his license he can only drive automatics and has to take a cdl course any way. But I can see why because all vehicles in the military are automatics. Dave how much longer you have
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.
Hey guys thanks for the input. Hey Dave good luck to you to and thanks. I'm currently stationed in Hawaii and its difficult to get my cdl out here. Also no colleges for tech school out here. I had a buddy just get out and was waivered for Texas cdl since he was a driver in the service as well. BUT according to his license he can only drive automatics and has to take a cdl course any way. But I can see why because all vehicles in the military are automatics. Dave how much longer you have
Tyler,
I'll probably transition out next summer. I'm not sure yet. Since you can't go to CDL school in Hawaii, maybe you could attend school while you are on terminal leave? Or, transition directly into diesel tech school, get a job in the field and get your CDL through your employer. Good luck with your plans.
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.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
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Well have a few questions about starting my career in the industry. I currently am a operator for the marine corp. Mostly drive straight truck but also have a lot of experience with a lowboy as well. I get out of the service next year September and going to go to cdl school. I live and Michigan and worried about finding a good company that will hire a new driver during winter. Also I am mechanically inclined so I know my way around some equipment. Should I go to a diesel tech school after getting my cdl? I know it will look good and I want to use my GI bill. Or should I start driving and go to a tech school later? Thanks
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: