Military veterans, having endured some of the most difficult and stringent working environments, have the skills to excel in a number of careers when they transition to civilian life. While companies in several industries are interested in hiring veterans because of their unique skills and strong character, some of the most exciting career opportunities for veterans lie in the logistics industry.
Trucking companies are hiring veterans because of the many strengths they can bring to the field, such as their sense of duty, their ability to work well on a team, their discipline, their strong work ethic, and their ability to adapt to changing situations.
Whether you operated a large truck as part of your military service or not, there are currently plenty of truck driving jobs for veterans. Finding a truck driving job that suits you doesn’t have to be a challenge. In fact, as a veteran, you may have access to some unique opportunities.
Obtaining Your CDL
Before driving a commercial vehicle like a truck, you’ll need to obtain your commercial driver’s license or CDL. The most common way to do so is to go to truck driving school, but if you drove large trucks as part of your military service, you may qualify for the military skills test waiver program through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This waiver enables you to skip the skills test portion of the CDL test and only take the written test.
If you’re a military veteran without truck driving experience, you’ll typically need to obtain your CDL in the regular fashion. You can obtain a state CDL manual from your local department of motor vehicles to start studying for the written exam and also apply for a permit. After you take the written exam, you’ll need to pass a supervised skills test.
There are a number of training programs available to help you become a CDL driver as a veteran. If you decide to go to truck driving school, some schools offer discounts for veterans and special programs for veterans. However, unlike Lily Transportations veterans program, most others deplete your GI Bill benefits.
Finding a Truck Driving Career as a Veteran
Once you’ve obtained your CDL, you’re ready to apply for trucking jobs. The government offers numerous job placement and veteran support services that could help, such as the Hiring Our Heroes initiative from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and career services through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. You can also find tools for resume building and search for hiring events on many government websites.
Nonetheless, you’ll have ample opportunities if you apply for truck driving jobs by filling out applications and sending your resume directly to trucking companies. Many companies have unique programs for veterans. The best veteran truck driving programs, such as the Lily Transportation Corp.’s veterans program, won’t deplete your GI Bill benefits.
Lily Veterans Network
Lily Transportation Corp. values the characteristics that the men and women of our U.S. military possess. We need your knowledge, expertise, and your will to succeed. 15% of Lily employees are currently veterans. Our commitment is to increase that number by 10% each year.
Lily’s veterans program offers a fully-paid training curriculum with company benefits. Upon graduation, you can expect to receive compensation in the $70,000 range. The only requirement is that you accept a minimum one year commitment in an over the road assignment.
For more information on Lily’s career benefits, visit our careers page or contact us at 800-248-5459.