Military veterans are some of the most qualified people in the job pool. With their diverse wealth of experience and exceptional work ethic, their skill sets empower them to thrive in a multitude of career paths. Here at Lily Transportation, we’re devoted to finding jobs for veterans that not only put those skills to use, but also provides them with a work environment that supports them both personally and professionally.Lily Transportation understands the challenges that military veterans go through as they transition back into a civilian career. This is why we’re so steadfast in our commitment to pursue, hire, and support as many veteran truck drivers as we can. When you get behind the wheel of one of our expertly maintained trucks, you’ll be starting an adventure that will take you to places few other careers can.
Getting to drive across the country and encounter the world from a unique, one-of-a-kind perspective is an experience only professional truck drivers get to have. Whether you’re driving solo or with a partner as part of an OTR driving team, the open road is rife with opportunity for veteran truck drivers who are eager for something new.
If you’re a military veteran looking for veteran employment programs, then you’ve come to the right place! Even if you don’t have prior experience driving large vehicles, Lily’s Veterans Employment and Training Program can help you acquire the skills you’ll need to thrive behind the wheel.
Table of Contents:
A Veteran Friendly Employer
- Seeking Out Veteran Drivers
- The Industry Wants to Work With You
Lily Veterans Network
- CDL Skills Test Waiver for Veterans
- Veteran Training Programs
Find Jobs for Veterans at Lily Transportation
A Veteran Friendly Employer
When military members exit the military, getting into civilian employment—regardless of whether this is their first time looking for a civilian career or not—can be a challenge. While every employer is willing to hire veterans if they have the right qualifications, some companies are more “veteran friendly” than others, and it’s these companies that you should be seeking out.
According to Military.com, a “veteran friendly employers” are companies that give “a veteran priority over a regular civilian for the job” and “may also want to ensure that they reach a certain percentage of their employees that are veterans, hence it makes it easier for the veteran to get employment with this company.”
Here are just a few of the ways that Lily Transportation can provide veteran truck drivers with the stability and support they deserve!
Seeking Out Veteran Drivers
As of March 2019, a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics said that “that about 269,000 veterans were unemployed in March 2019, compared to 392,000 in March 2018.” That’s some encouraging progress and speaks to the continued improvement of the employment situation for both veterans and non-veterans alike.
However, as positive as this progress is, that’s still a lot of unemployed veterans in need of work, and Lily wants to help get the unemployment percentage even lower. The values, skills, and discipline exemplified in military veterans are the characteristics we strive to represent in our company.
Currently, 15% of all current employees at Lily Transportation are veterans, but we want to see that number continue to grow. It’s our goal to continue to seek out veteran drivers actively, make veterans employment a top priority for our company, and see our percentage of employed veterans grow by approximately 10% every year.
The Industry Wants to Work With You
If you’re a veteran and you’re interested in learning more about what the trucking industry has to offer, then you’ll find no shortage of companies who are excited by the prospect of working with you.
For veterans who are looking for an adventure, an OTR trucking position could be just the thing they’re looking for. This role involves driving across the country, which means you’ll be spending time in a fully equipped sleeper truck and you’ll have access to a side of the country few people get to experience.
However, if you’re looking for a local position that doesn’t involve being away from home, then many trucking companies have more centralized and regional jobs that still include driving a truck but without the same mileage of an OTR role. The bottom line is this: trucking companies want to work alongside you to find a job that suits your skills and your preferences.
Also, with the trucking industry in need of more drivers than ever, there’s no shortage of trucking jobs for veterans. With your specialized skills in situational awareness, leadership, adaptability, stamina, and commitment, trucking companies across the country are more than willing to provide you with the resources and training services you’ll need to settle into your new career.
The Lily Veterans Network
Many companies across the country are willing to offer a variety of benefits and training programs to veterans who are looking to get started in the trucking and logistics industries. Whether that’s a sign-on bonus or a driving school scholarship, companies want to work with veterans and are eager to provide them with incentives.
Lily Transportation offers a unique program for veterans who:
- Are actively interested in a truck driving career but don’t have any experience
- Are already commercial truck drivers or who have experience operating heavy trucks as part of their military service
- Have served in various leadership roles and are looking to apply those skills in the trucking and transportation industry
Here’s a breakdown of what our Veterans Program looks like and how it can help you get CDL-certified, trained, and ready for the open road in record time.
CDL Skills Test Waiver for Veterans
Before your professional trucking career can begin, you’ll be required to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL). There are several steps toward acquiring your CDL, but the first step should be to visit your local DMV and pick up a CDL manual. This handbook is your “textbook” and will provide you with the information and tips you’ll need to help you pass your written exam.
If you don’t have prior experience operating heavy vehicles, then you may need to earn a commercial learners permit. This means that your driving record for the last ten years will be reviewed and you will need to provide proof that you’re medically qualified to drive a commercial vehicle. We will help you through the process and after that’s completed, you’ll spend the next two weeks practicing driving in one of our trucks with a CDL-certified driver as your co-pilot. Once you feel comfortable, you can go ahead and schedule your road test.
However, thanks to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Military Skills Test Waiver Program, veterans who have experience operating large vehicles can skip the skills test and earn their CDL after passing the written exam. This program is available in every state and is open to any veteran who can verify to a State Driver Licensing Agency (SDLA):
- Their safe driving experience;
- That they have not held more than one license (except a U.S. Military driver’s license) in the past two years;
- They have not had their base State issued driver’s license suspended, revoked or canceled;
- They have not had convictions in any motor vehicle for the disqualifying CDL offenses listed elsewhere in the regulations.
Veteran Training Programs
Once you’ve acquired your CDL—either the traditional way or via the Military Skills Test Waiver Program—Lily Transportation will enroll you in a training program to help fine-tune your CDL driving skills to meet the needs of the industry. During Lily’s veteran training program, you’ll be compensated with $800 per week, enjoy company benefits, and upon graduation, receive annual compensation in the $70,000 range.
The entire training service is fully paid for by Lily, and as such, will not deplete your GI Bill benefits. In exchange for your full scholarship, including the pay and benefits you’ll receive during training, we ask for a one-year commitment from our drivers in an over-the-road (OTR) assignment.
For veterans who are interested in management careers with Lily, we encourage you to apply to our management training program. This program will provide you with in-depth training in all the aspects of a transportation business.
You’ll be assigned to a senior executive in the company who will act as your mentor and counselor as you get started in your new career path. Similar to the driver’s training, the management program is ten weeks in length, and participants will enjoy full compensation and company benefits.
When you become part of the Lily family, you will be honored as one of “Lily’s American Heroes,” provided with first-class equipment with decals that designate your branch of service and receive a competitive income in the $70,000 range. We value your service and the experiences you bring to our company, and we’re always striving to help enable our veteran employees to succeed in their new careers.
Find Jobs for Veterans at Lily Transportation
Finding jobs for veterans who are reacclimating to the civilian lifestyle can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. When you join Lily’s Veterans Network, you’ll not only be plugging into a community of passionate and driven professionals but also unlock an endless stream of opportunities for personal and professional growth and success.
There are plenty of veteran trucking jobs out there, just waiting for a chance to provide your unique experiences, mission-focused work ethic, and adaptable skill sets with an opportunity to thrive and evolve. If you’re interested in learning more about Lily’s veteran employment programs, then don’t hesitate to reach out to us!
We strive to be one of the most veteran-friendly employers in the trucking industry and would love to get in touch with you. Everyone at Lily Transportation is excited about the prospect of your new career path. If you have any questions we encourage you to give us a call at 800-248-5459 or check-out our contact page! We hope to hear from you soon.
