If you’ve ever driven a truck in the military, then you understand the importance of transportation.It’s not just about driving the truck, it’s about so much more.

It’s about transporting your fellow soldiers safely to their next battle station.  It’s about delivering food to a unit in need.  It’s about moving supplies quickly and efficiently without being seen (under the cover of darkness).

Believe it or not, but your role as a truck driver is one of the most important roles in the military.  

The significance of this role is the same in the civilian world.  Our nation’s truck drivers provide support for our economy, from delivering everyday items from food to home supplies to electronics to energy sources to building materials. Our truck drivers move our nation.  

But sadly, many veteran truck drivers do not know just how valued their skills that they built in the military are.  From their driving experience to working well in teams to making decisions in a dynamically changing environment to knowing the importance of safety to having a logistics mindset.  Veterans, especially those who’ve driven, fit very well in the trucking industry.  

So, if you’ve ever driven a truck or any other vehicle in the military, here are 5 reasons why you should consider a career in the trucking industry:

1. Military Skills Waiver
   Whether you’ve driven large or mid-size vehicles in the past 12 months, you may qualify for a Military Skills Waiver which waives the driving test portion of your Commercial Driver’s License exam.  

2. Starting Salary $50,000 – $65,000+
   Your experience in the military earns you a $10,000 to $15,000+ higher starting salary.  Meaning you can make more money, faster. 

3. Career Options
   You have options.  Do you want to be an entrepreneur?  Do you want to be home every night? Do you want to make tons of money?  Whatever your motivation, the trucking industry has an option for you. 

4. Hometime
   All trucking jobs aren’t the stereotypical Long Haul job, in fact there are 3 different types of hometime available.  There are Local jobs that put you home every night, there are regional jobs that get you home on 1-2 times during the week and on the weekends, and there are long haul jobs that you are out for 2 weeks + at a time. 

5. Independence/Freedom
   Your experience in the military has taught you independence.  Trucking allows you to work when you want to work, drive where you want to drive and see the country that you helped protect.  

Both for those who have driven trucks in the military and those who haven’t, the trucking industry offers many great career options that lie at your fingertips.  Be apart of an industry helping to move america.

Getting started is easy.  Go to truckingtrack.org to learn more.  Watch our videos, read our stories, contact a mentor or check out our open jobs.

For additional help or any questions, feel free to email us at truckingtrack@fastport.com.