Why Veterans Should Consider a Career in Truck Driving
It’s no secret that after a career in the military, it can be difficult for you and your family to acclimate to civilian life again. Without a doubt, having served and protected our country in a multitude of ways, life in the military involves everything from rigorous training and strict schedules, to being vigilant, attentive, and detail-oriented.
Needless to say, getting back into the swing of things may seem challenging. However, you have a skillset that many others do not, including leadership, character, dependability, adaptability, and managing yourself professionally under stressful conditions. These skills learned during active duty are incredibly valuable and can be leveraged to a great degree in truck driving.
And while reentering the civilian world can be daunting, the skills that have been instilled in you throughout your years in service makes you the perfect candidate for getting behind the wheel and becoming the commander of your own ship.
Truck Driving Career Benefits
In addition to putting your military skills to good use, a truck driving career offers an array of benefits too.
#1 Career Security
The trucking industry is the backbone of the American economy. Everyday people and businesses rely on truckers to transport everything from food and medications to toys and vehicles. This means that driving a truck is another way to serve your country while enjoying career security.
In fact, the industry has endured a truck driver shortage, which is continuing to grow. This shortfall has resulted in businesses like TCI offering special programs and incentives – often specifically designed for Veterans.
#2 Financial Security and Benefits
In an effort to attract more truck drivers, the industry has seen an increase of up to 15% in pay and benefits, according to the American Trucking Association. Benefits packages have also been improved, with many offering referral bonuses, retirement plans, vision, health and dental insurance, as well as paid vacation and sick leave.
#3 Independence
Most likely you had little time to exercise your independence while in service. Being a truck driver will allow you to earn a paycheck while being your own boss in many ways. As long as you meet deadlines, you can enjoy making your own decisions and some truck driving jobs offer the flexibility of choosing routes and scheduling preferences.
#4 Opportunity to Explore the Country
For the most part, service men and women get to travel throughout the world and upon retiring, they still yearn for opportunities to explore. One of the most popular benefits of truck driving is getting to see new places and meeting new people all the while exploring the open road.
#5 Funded Training
CDL school is one of the most affordable career training programs around. However, veterans have access to funding opportunities like the GI Bill, making it even more inexpensive for those who qualify.
#6 Fast and Easy Transition
Settling into everyday life in America can be difficult for Veterans, especially when it comes to finding a job. Pursuing a traditional corporate job can be both challenging as well as difficult to accustom oneself to. However, transitioning into a trucking career via accelerated programs designed specifically for veterans makes the process simple, and many of your active duty skills will be utilized along the way.
Learn More About A Career in Truck Driving
TCI Transportation credits its long-term success to a great team of employees, including veterans. Our company is built on a strong foundation of employee satisfaction, while our values are rooted in putting the customer first in everything we do.
We also strive to support the community, especially the veterans who have served our country. In fact, we were recently awarded a specially-designed Kalmar Ottawa Military Wrapped Truck, and we look forward to finding other ways to raise and spread support for our veterans.
If you’re a veteran interested in a new career, we encourage you to strongly consider the trucking industry. At TCI we have a wide variety of jobs available from coast to coast, and welcome all Veterans with open arms. To learn more about our Veterans program here at TCI, visit our Veterans page. And don’t forget to subscribe to our free newsletter to stay on top of industry updates, career opportunities, and all-things-trucking related.
