The veteran employment challenge is large and growing with the planned defense force reductions. The volume of transitioning service men and women have also created an under-employment challenge for veterans. Likewise, the U.S. trucking industry has an acute and chronic shortage of class A commercial drivers that presents a great opportunity for transitioning veterans.

The trucking industry highly values the core skills of our veterans and veterans have a proven affinity to succeed in class A commercial driving careers. The entry level salaries of class A commercial drivers are high relative to other entry level jobs requiring no advanced education. Wages are rising due to the supply and demand imbalance. Experienced driver salaries are comparably high, with entrepreneur opportunities to earn well over $100,000 annually.

Education is the largest impediment preventing more veterans to capitalize on terrific class A commercial driver careers. We have outlined several additional impediments that can easily be overcome with minor policy changes by the DOD and DOL.

The U.S. trucking industry can play an instrumental role in the educational process by consolidating the industry’s job commitments and open job postings in a single, industry-specific database. Our nation’s military veterans have served and protected our democracy. They also represent the most capable new talent pool of class A commercial drivers to help keep America’s highways and roadways safe while building the America of our future.

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RESOURCES

DOL/BLS Economic News Release; Employment Situation Of Veterans Summary, March 20, 2014, USDL 14-0434

Employment Projections program, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012
U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Motor Carrier Management Information System Census File

The JB Hunt Story

FTR Transportation Intelligence economic forecast

Labor Force Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012

American Trucking Association Chief Economist estimate

U.S. Department of Defense Credentialing and Licensing Task Force, Military Affairs Task Force, National Conference of State Legislatures, April 8, 2013

U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Program To Assist Veterans To Acquire Commercial Driver’s Licenses Report To Congress, November 2013

U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Safety Administration, Transportation Workers Identification Credential, Frequently Asked Questions U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Safety Administration

Owner Operator Independent Driver Association Research Reports

Owner Operator Independent Driver Association Research Reports, Industry Facts