Entering industry soon - looking for direction/advice

Hi y'all. Apologies in advance for the lengthy post, but I've got lots of questions/concerns as I prepare to get into the trucking industry. I'll list the main points first and elaborate below if anyone cares to read the rest. It's greatly appreciated if you can address any of my questions.

• Best companies for flatbed? Anyone like or dislike System Transport?
• Will any fuel haulers/bulk tankers hire drivers fresh out of CDL school?
• Best way to get into heavy haul/specialized/oversized freight?
• How to get into govt/military freight? I live southeast of Denver - nearby to USAF Academy, Fort Carson, Peterson AFB, and Buckley AFB. Lockheed Martin is also close by.
• Can I find local work in Colorado if I start my own authority? I see tons of flatbeds, low boys, and dump trucks here south of Denver - lots of construction happening here.
• Anything to say about agricultural trucking?

I'm in my late 20s and attending CDL school late this summer. Will be learning on a manual trans. Already have my CDL permit and passed tests for tanker and HazMat endorsements. I've been doing accounting the last 4 yrs, but have some limited (non-driving) transportation industry experience. My degree is in Supply Chain Management. I've always loved trucks and been interested in what they're hauling and where they're going. I think this industry suits my interests as well as any other and I'd eventually like to be an o/o, possibly with multiple trucks and drivers. Last year I used an F-350 and gooseneck trailer to haul an old truck from IA to CO and loved it - felt like a boss the whole time.

Originally, my idea was to start my own authority and do hotshot hauling. I'm still considering this. Tell me if I'm wrong, but it seems like with hotshot work you have less choice in where you go and when you can get home? Seems like freight for hotshots is a little harder to find and you have to stay out longer to make good money. Whether or not I go this route I would want to drive a tractor trailer eventually.

My main interests right now would be flatbed or tanker. I don't have much interest in running a dry van and sitting at crowded loading docks all the time. I also just find the types of flatbed and tanker freight more interesting. I want to eventually get into specialized freight so I can make more money. A buddy of mine who's family owns a large trucking company in Denver simply told me "STEPDECK FLATBED". His company hauls mostly dry bulk. He seemed to think I'd have no shortage of work doing local/regional stepdeck loads.

Also, I'd probably prefer local or regional work over cross-country OTR. This is as much due to hearing horror stories about mega carriers as it is about wanting to be home somewhat frequently. My biggest problem when it comes to working for a local company is that most of them are located on the opposite side of Denver from where I live. That would be a 45+ minute commute there and back every day - not ideal when you already drive all day...even if you do love driving.

Looking forward to hearing what you all have to say. I already saw many useful things in other threads here. Just looking for some direction so I can hit the ground running as soon as I have my CDL. Thanks in advance.