From Military To Trucker | Swift Truck Driving Academy

Hey Lefty, If you go to Corsicana,does Swift require you to stay at that ########, or can you get your own hotel room? I will gladly pay to stay at a CLEAN, crackhead and hooker free hotel than stay in that ######## of a hotel you described.

 

I'm just a newbie, and just got my CDL, but just skimming the OP's post, I see some huge issues with the big company's training program and their relationship with veterans.

For starters, the $1200~ that is mentioned as given by Schneider is NOT an incentive or veterans bonus...it is the Housing Allowance that you are entitled to in conjunction with using your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits. If a company is advertising that they're giving you something extra just for being a veteran, be skeptical.

The OP is right to warn you away from Swift's Veteran Scholarship program. You are entitled to use your GI Bill benefits ANYTIME after you qualify for them, even before you are discharged! You won't get your Post 9/11 GI Bill housing allowance, however, if you are still on active duty drawing an active duty Basic Housing Allowance (BAH). What it sounds like to me is, Swift is NOT ALLOWED to take your GI Bill; rather, the education you receive at Swift doesn't qualify for GI Bill Benefits. Veterans should always check with the Veterans Administration GI Bill office to ascertain if the school of their choice qualifies for reimbursement under the GI Bill.

And, in a nutshell, the reason many of these companies are courting Veterans isn't necessarily because of a deep sense of patriotism...it's because they know that Veterans are (usually) a loyal, honest and hard working set of individuals. Vets don't complain about crappy conditions or hard work, and are used to doing more with less. If a company somehow manages to convince the VA that their school has the credentials to be accredited, they know that the Veteran's $$$ from the GI Bill benefits is a sure thing (they'll get paid whether the Vet hangs with the industry or not).

My advice to Vets...find a community college or a trade school that is accredited in your state as an institution of higher learning, who has a CDL program. If the VA will pay for that school's curriculum, the Vet can finish the course and walk away DEBT FREE, and even be able to bank a little Housing Allowance $$ (under the Post 9/11 GI Bill).

www.va.gov is your friend...click on the Education Benefits link.

And feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I've not only gone through this myself, but I have counseled multiple junior personnel under my charge in my time in the service on this same thing. If I don't have the answers you need, the toll free # at the VA (after the long wait listening to musak, lol) will give you the answers.

And to all the past, present and future Veterans who read this, thank you for your sacrifice! It has been an honor to serve with you!!!

Semper Paratus!!!

 

Check out this video

 

This war vet had that option and I said "Screw Swift"..... I took my GI college money and went to a private school....and I urge other vets to do the same so you are not a slave to Swift or any other company that offers this scam.

 

The apprenticeship program for trucking is a great resource for vets out there. My GI Bill benefits are already being used up for a degree though and it is not possible to double dip for obvious reasons so it is not an option for me. I am starting weekend classes soon to get my CDL and just paying for it out of pocket so I don't owe anyone anything and have more freedom. On a side note, the flag is displayed improperly in the background for that video.