Looking to get into trucking when I get out

First of all, thank you for your service and be safe. Do as much research as possible, they're quite a few knowledgeable folks on this forum that can help steer you in the right direction and provide you with valuable insight. Good luck.

@Chinatown

 

Will you live south or north of Interstate 4 in Florida?
Some companies don't hire drivers that live south of I-4.
Your MOS will be a huge benefit for you. Many companies recognize this when considering a new cdl driver. Some count it toward experience for civilian trucking.
~
Easing the Transition from Combat to Classroom
https://www.americanprogress.org/wp-content/...
Easing the Transition from Combat to Classroom Preserving America’s Investment in Higher Education for Military Veterans Through Institutional Assessment

 

Thank you for your service. I’m a veteran myself. Make sure you utilize your medical benefits before you get out and have everything documented.

I would highly recommend if at all possible go to college or stay in the military. Try the army if you’re tired of the marines. More jobs and more places to PCS to.

Yes, trucking is a good income but if you did most anything else 70 hours a week it would be a good income too.

There’s a lot more support for your family while you’re deployed in the military. Trucking is a lot harder on your family and it’s a performance based business and if you’re not performing you get zero.

I would much rather be working in a hospital right now then driving a truck. When your kid(s) get older and leave the nest get your cdl and bring your wife.

If you insist on being a truck driver use a third party school for your cdl. Don’t be indebted to some crap company for a year. If you cannot get a local position immediately ie food service delivery, beer, or soda then take the home every weekend job. Yes, some company will say you make more if you stay out for two or three weeks at a time but you end up restarting on the road. Nothing sucks like sitting in a truck stop for 34 hours while your family is at home living life. A good company can utilize your 70 hour clock completely and get you home for the weekend. TMC and Maverick come to mind.

 

I'd personally try regional if it's possible.
You've spent enough time away from your family (especially if you've been deployed) to last a lifetime.
OTR will only make it worse.
The big companies you'd likely be paired with TO START are notorious for failing to get you home.
A young wife and a couple babies need the mans scent in the house.
It just makes a difference. Take that from an old fella that's been there.
The more you can be with them the better.
With just a modicum of experience (and you very well may be able to do it straight away with your 88) you can get a great paying local job at a freight company and be home every night.
Saia
Old Dominion
Estes
XPO
UPS
FED WREX

I wish you all the best and prosperity.
I've slept well at night knowing fine Americans stand guard.

 

There's big paychecks in food service drivers. The work is hard and long hours, but a good way to get on firm financial footing right out of the military. @Winanthony94 those food service drivers make from a low of $70K to around $100K per year with a full benefits package.
We'll post some names of companies that hire in Jacksonville area.

 

Working in the motor pool has probably weakened you back somewhat. Bouncing down the highway a million miles you may end finding out your back isn’t what it used to be.

Things that you don’t realize is if your spouse has a dr appt that she wants you there and for whatever reason the only appt is on say Thursday, in trucking regional or over the road you’ll most likely have to decide if you want to go to the appt or take the week off. If that happens 2x a year that could be 5% of your income. That’s why being a mechanic or anything else maybe doesn’t pay as much but when you don’t have to take off weeks of work to be a husband or father it pays the same or more not to be on the road.

 

Here's a regional job out of Jacksonville:
Raven Transport
Click ----> Apply On Company Site
For those brand-new CDL drivers graduating from a National Publicly Funded Truck Driving School (8 Week Tech School), we have a program for you; earn while you train (6 weeks) and then $.44.5 CPM until you make the one-year experience level. Paid orientation. Rider program and Pet Policy available.