The Soldier for Life Transition Assistance Program (SFL-TAP) leadership on Fort Benning has partnered with FASTPORT to host a trucking-specific hiring fair next week on August 18, 2015 from 11am-3pm at the Soldier for Life Center on base. This partnership stemmed from the trucking industry’s commitment to hire 150,000 Veterans in an industry partnership with FASTPORT and Hiring Our Heroes through truckingtrack.org, which the industry uses to match Veterans with employers. In its first year, the Trucking Track has enabled the industry to process over 15,000 quick applications. SFL-TAP has had remarkable success in educating Soldiers on their educational and professional opportunities after service, and this hiring fair is another important avenue to help Soldiers find great careers that value their military experience.

The Fort Benning Hiring Expo will feature two panel discussions to kick off the event. Soldiers should plan to attend both panels to hear answers to important questions, see how successful Veterans have made the transition into their civilian careers, and learn about career paths that fit their experience.

The first will be an employer panel moderated by Truckload Carrier Association (TCA) President Brad Bentley and focus on career paths in the industry. The second panel will give Soldiers an opportunity to hear from Veterans who have had incredible success since their transition from the military to the trucking industry. Fort Benning’s SFL-TAP Transition Service Specialist Kevin Aker will moderate this panel to get at the heart of what makes a successful transition.

After the panel discussions conclude, Soldiers will meet with employers committed to hire. Attending companies are ready, willing, and able to make offers and pre-hire offers ON THE SPOT to Soldiers who qualify for their positions. Soldiers will find various career paths throughout the industry, including management & supervisor roles, mechanic roles, commercial driving roles, operations roles, supply & logistics roles, IT, and office positions.

While they learn about different career opportunities, Soldiers can explore tractors/trailers parked just outside the event area where they can interact with modern equipment and drivers to get insight into the industry. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) is also making their Interstate One truck driving simulator available for Soldiers to experience.

Trucking companies are excited to network with the nation’s best and brightest new employees. Soldiers have been trained by the most complex and advanced supply chain employer in the country—the U.S. Army—and the trucking industry is eager to have them on their teams.