Active/Retiring Military - When Should I Get CDL

Why? Now is a great time to start school because if he waits, he will be rushing into getting it done. As truckers, we do not under any circumstances "rush" things

 

Most companies will want training within the last 90 days. If you finished school longer than than that, you'll have to do a refresher

 

does the military still pay for you to go to school while you are in? They did when I was in a few years back. I would try to plan it so you can get your CDL through a local community college, with the government paying for it (this should not use any of your GI Bill), right before you retire. I only did 4.5 years so I don't know if this applies to your situation. Hopefully it does!

 

Agreed.

It's great folks recognize Vets with kind, encouraging words. We all appreciate that.

Not many companies put their money where their mouths are. Most "say" they support us Vets but only really prove it with a set of $10 Decals on your driver's door and some have large font print screens on a "few" advertising trucks as well. That's about it. Seriously.

It really is a shame (IMHO), that companies don't do more for Veterans. Examples would be .... pay Vets a bit more.... give credit for Service time served etc....

 

Newport News or Portsmouth?

Most companies if your local will want some time (at least a year) of OTR (Over The Road) and coming from Hampton Roads myself the military influx of people is raised on average of 71% so when it comes to this industry, you'll have to be at the right place at the right time. Now I will say this... If you get your CDL early and find the right people, you might be able to come across a crane operator job or rail car. (It's been a while, but I seem to remember NNSY using rail cars to move heavy and bulk crap around)

Also, you might be able to find a construction company that will hire new drivers. There is a company out by Franks truckstop in Chesapeake named Capital Concrete that hires new folks. They only require class B, but it might give you some driving time before you look into something for the yards.

Again, it's all about where you are at the right time. You know how to manage people and time, so I'll leave that to you.

 

Well Sir, you still have 3 years to think about things and sort them out. The hardest part for me, was having to start at the bottom of the pay scale as a driver. I'm now making decent money...but it was a bit of a hard pill to swallow at first. With my retirement, driving pay, and VA, I'm doing quite well now.

 

I won't sugar coat it...it is scarry. But we all go through it. You will do fine.