Advice for CDL training?

Good evening folks...my name is Dave and I'm a first time poster here.

I retired from the service three years ago and now working on finding a new purpose in life...I'm attracted to the idea of being on the road for extended periods of time in solitude, throwing myself at my work, and just taking on the challenge of the lifestyle. Not married and no kids...I do have a dog but it appears at least some of the freight companies don't mind if you take canine friends along on the road.

I haven't yet used any educational benefits and it seems fairly straightforward to use post-9/11 GI for CDL school. I'm not necessarily looking for specific school names, but more asking for advice on what to look for in a good program. There seem to be a number of private options in my area...I've also noticed some folks in the forum saying community college programs can be a good way to go. Searching online gives so many results it's hard to know where to begin.

Finally, I got a DUI when I was 21 in 1996 (I haven't had so much as a speeding ticket since) and I take VA prescribed medication for PTSD. Guessing I probably shouldn't waste my time pursuing a CDL if either of these are show stoppers?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Dave

 

The DUI is nothing because it's so old.
Don't know about the PTSD medication.
Maybe @Moose1958 can find the answer.

 

You probably qualify to be a Merchant Seaman.
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Thank you for your service. I can't respond. Based on I think the vets here would know more of what a vet is looking for. But I have 2 dui's and one oui. 2 in 98 and one in 99 So don't sweat that

 

That's funny, I was a helicopter guy and actually landed on the class of ship in that picture. I feel like I spent enough time at sea in the navy, though...the road is somehow more appealing at this stage.

 

I like ships and the sea. Spent a lot of time there. Loved the foreign ports.
Didn't have to test for my Merchant Seaman document because I'm a Navy vet; just had to show my DD-214.
That qualified me for "Ordinary Seaman" without testing.

 

I did my ship's company tour on USS Peleliu (LHA-5) in the air dept, last I heard she was in mothball in Hawaii. Usually pilots hate going to the ship but I did my best to embrace it...ended up being a really fun time that flew by. Best CO I ever served under...and it's not close.

 

The community colleges in my state have very good CDL classes.
320 hours
Costs less than $2k

 

Gator freighters ,gotta love em.bella wood LHA3.They sank her some where off of hawaii.Few thousand feet down so we can't even dive on her