Military Veterans Into Trucking - The Complete Guide

The U.S. government has created several programs that make it easier for ex-military personnel to re-enter the civilian workforce, and receive necessary skills training.

Many trucking companies actively recruit veterans and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and participate in the various government programs available to those drivers.

Even for drivers that have exhausted their GI Bill or educational military benefits, many companies are targeting specific benefits and CDL programs towards veterans of the Armed Forces.

An Honorable Discharge, as well as a minimum amount of active-duty time or military experience, will normally be required and varies by company.

Training programs must be approved by specific state agencies in order to offer training and apprenticeships that let drivers take advantage of GI Bill benefits.

Additionally, most individual states may operate programs specifically for military veterans that may better suit a driver's individual, so always check with State agencies, as well.

• Military Commercial Learner's Permit Skills Waiver Program
• Veteran's Administration Apprenticeship Program and On-the-job Training
• Montgomery GI Bill
• Post-9/11 GI Bill
• Military CDL Act Of 2012
• Hiring Our Heroes Program
• Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)
• Trucking Companies Targeting Military Veterans

See Also: High Road Training Program: Section 13 - Hours Of Service Regulations

This rule gives State Driver Licensing Agencies the authority to substitute 2 years of CMV safe driving experience in military equivalents of CMV's, for the skills test part of the CDL skills test. The written test must still be taken.

Drivers must apply within 1 year of separation from active military duty.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia now participate in the Military Skills Test Waiver program.

See Also: FMCSA Military Skills Test Waiver and Commercial Learner's Permit Rules

• Veteran's Administration Apprenticeship Program and On-the-job Training:

  The VA Apprenticeship/On-The-Job-Training Program assists veterans of the U.S. military and their dependents in learning a new skill or trade through apprenticeships with approved companies or unions.

  Montgomery and Post-9/11 GI Bill recipients are eligible to receive benefits while enrolled in apprenticeship/on-the-job training.

  Find VA-Approved Educational Institutions, CDL Training Programs, and On-The-Job/Apprenticeships

• Montgomery GI Bill:

  The Montgomery GI Bill is a federal program that helps active duty veterans and reserves of any branch of the U.S. Military pay their educational expenses.

  Eligibility and length of assistance: 36 months of benefits, up to 10 years after completion of service, dependent on an Honorable Discharge.

  The Montgomery GI Bill is separated into 2 main programs for Active Duty and Reserves.

• Post-9/11 GI Bill:

  The Post- 9/11 GI Bill is a higher education and training benefit program for individuals who served on active duty after September 10, 2001 (active, honorably discharged, or discharged with a disability), that makes a tuition and fee payment to the school or educational institution on the recipient's behalf, or directly to the recipient, and may include a Basic Housing Allowance (BAH).

  Eligibility and length of assistance: Generally, students can receive up to 36 months of benefits, and are eligible for 15 years from the last period of active duty of at least 90 consecutive days.

  You can use the Post-9/11 GI Bill at colleges, universities, trade schools, and for on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and flight schools. Benefits are paid monthly, and Monthly Housing Allowance is based on the location of the school.

  Note: Children and surviving spouses of active duty members of the Armed Forces who died in the line of duty on or after September 10, 2001 may also be eligible for the Marine Gunnery John David Fry Scholarship Program

  Current GI Bill Payment And Reimbursement Rates

• Military CDL Act Of 2012:

  Under normal circumstances, CDL drivers would have to get their license from their state of residence, which was obviously causing issues for members of the U.S. Armed Forces who were stationed in states other than their state of domicile.

  One recent development to help members of the military get their CDL was the Military CDL Act Of 2012. In short, the bill allows states to issue Commercial Driver's Licenses to active members of the Armed Forces if they are temporarily or permanently stationed in states other than their home state, and operate, or will operate, commercial motor vehicles (CMV's).

• Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E):

  VR&E benefits are designed to give employment assistance to Veterans and Service-members who have service-related disabilities or employment handicaps. VR&E provides vocational counseling, job placement assistance, and referrals to opportunities for disabled or handicapped Veterans and Servicemembers.

  Veterans would still be required to meet the minimum physical requirements to be medically certified to drive a CMV. Drivers with missing or impaired limbs, or other physical impairments that affect their ability to operate CMV's, who may be fitted with and wearing a prosthetic device, can apply to the Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate Program to demonstrate their ability to drive the vehicle safely with their particular physical handicap.

  More information about Veteran's Benefits Administration Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Program

• Hiring Our Heroes Program

  The U.S Chamber Of Commerce sponsor a nationwide initiative to help veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses find meaningful employment opportunities.

  The program offers the entire spectrum of employment services, dealing with job training to job fires and placement.

  Hiring Our Heroes Initiative

• A & R Logistics
• Averitt Express
• Barr-Nunn
• Cargo Transporters
• Celadon Trucking
• COMCAR Industries
• Con-Way/XPO
• Covenant Transport
• Crete Carrier
• CRST
• Cypress Truck Lines
• EPES Transport
• Groendyke Transportation
• Interstate Distributor
• J.B. Hunt
• Jim Palmer Trucking
• Knight Transportation
• Marvin Keller Trucking
• Maverick
• Melton Truck Lines-
• NFI Industries
• PAM Transport
• Roehl Transport
• Shaffer Trucking
• Schneider
• Stevens Transport
• Super Service
• Swift Transportation
• TMC
• Transport America
• TransWood
• Trimac
• US Xpress
• USA Truck
• Watkins-Shepard
• Werner Enterprise
• Wil-Trans