need recommendations to finalize my list

All, thanks for all the valuable info already relayed in response to my previous posts.
And thanks in advance for any input you industry veterans may choose to offer here.
I am looking to narrow down my list of companies to apply with for getting my trucking career started.
I am 59, Desert Storm veteran, moving on from my previous civilian career. Based in Lexington, Ky.
Preferences are:
Companies with the best introductory packages for military veterans.
OTR, refer or dry load (not really interested in flatbed or tankers), with opportunity to travel all 48 states or at least far West on a regular basis.
Would probably need a company that has its own training program as I do not have a CDL yet.
Companies that allow spouse and pet.
Companies without driver-facing cameras (realizing not many of these left.)
Trucks governed at least 65 mph (I'd like to at least do the speed limit.)
My short list at the moment based on my own research based on previous advice from this forum is:
U.S. Express
Roehl
Crete Carriers
Swift (refrigerated)
R.E. West
Schneider
Millis
Wilson
Again, thanks very much for any help offered!

 

Crete has its own driver training program, allows pets and spouses, but has driver facing cameras if your under some kind of safety review.

From that list I’d pick Crete. Only negative thing I have to say about them is that their entire fleet is now automatic transmissions and that may not be a negative to you.

 

Thanks very much. Crete and U.S. Express are actually my top two choices. The camera thing is not a deal-breaker, would just prefer not to be spied on.

 

I started with Millis...however Heartless purchased them...so I would say Crete. Crete seems to be doing well and has been since I have been out here.

 

Cool... that's two votes for Crete. Thank you!

 

@Chinatown you've given me valuable advice in the past, care to comment further?

 

Plus, Crete runs three home time options. 6 on/ 1 off, 12 on/ 2 off and 21 on/ 3 off or stay out indefinitely in both van and reefer, but max is 4 days off. They are pretty good at getting you home on time. Not sure about the flatbed fleets. Most terminals have showers and laundry. Nice option when parking is scarce or when needing repairs done.

 

Have you contacted any of the companies your considering just to see if they are even doing orientation right now? Believe I've read on here a couple of the bigger companies have stopped for the time being.

 

Three votes for Crete! I'm not really concerned about being home, would rather be OTR most of the time and take my 'home time' on the road. Appreciate the input!

 

I have not.. that will be my next step after cutting down the list a bit more. I'm not in a big rush but would like to get going within the next few months.