Transitioning from the military into civilian life can be challenging. You have a unique and valuable skill set, but many civilian companies don’t recognize this. One-third of veterans in the United States are currently underemployed, meaning that they are working jobs where they are overqualified and underpaid. If you are anxious about your transition out of active service, you may want to consider a career in trucking. Truck drivers are in high demand and this is a great job for veterans because it is a good match with your skill set.
Here are just a few of the many benefits of becoming a trucker after military service:
Job Security
Job security in the trucking industry is unparalleled and the demand for truckers continues to rise. In fact, statistics estimate a 5% growth in the next 10 years. There are 1.3 million trucking companies out there looking to hire you, so you know if you choose to become a truck driver there will always be a job available. In addition, you will be getting the pay you deserve: truck drivers can earn more than $65,000 a year.*
One of the benefits of this kind of job security is that once a company hires you, there is a possibility of staying with them for a longer period of time. Applying for jobs as a veteran can be frustrating. You need to translate your military skills into terms civilians can understand. Oftentimes you get passed over for the job because of stereotypes or overqualification. When you become a trucker, you don’t have to worry about going through this challenging application process over and over again.
Service
As a veteran, you understand the value of service. You took pride in serving your country as a member of the armed forces, so you may want a job that allows you to continue to contribute to your country. It can be a struggle to find a career focused on service where you also get great pay and benefits. If this appeals to you, truck driving could be a great choice.
American truck drivers transport 70% of United States freight. Without truck drivers, the country’s economy would not be able to function. Drivers help keep grocery stores stocked, vital machinery running, and so much more. When you work as a trucker you know you are making a difference in the daily lives of your fellow Americans.
Quick and Easy Transition
When you are transitioning out of active duty military service, you want the process to be as quick and simple as possible. Traditional corporate jobs require a lot of changes to adapt to this new environment. With truck driving, the transition process is simple.
The trucking industry values your military service and will work with the skills you have already developed. The training to become a trucker is also quick and easy. You can get a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in as little as four weeks with our accelerated program.
Funding Your Training
Military veterans have access to a wide range of funding opportunities to make CDL school more affordable. If you choose to attend HDS Truck Driving Institute (HDS truck driving school), we can help you determine which options are available to you.
Truck Driver Education for Veterans
HDS truck driving school was selected for the 2019-2020 GI Jobs Military Friendly School list and is approved by the Arizona State Approving Agency to provide training to veterans. We have helped many veterans transition into rewarding civilian careers as truck drivers. Our instructors and programs are nationally recognized and we strive to give each student valuable skills and knowledge they can use for the rest of their career.
Contact us today to learn more about training to become a truck driver after serving in the military.
*Professional truck drivers earn a mean annual wage of $43,680. The top 10% of truck drivers make more than $65,260 per year according to the 2018 Bureau of Labor Statistics.
