Army to Civilian

Thats awesome man,you would have plenty of us(VETS/prior service) with a ton of 88M experience.At the same time you would have the support of the Vet support community

 

Just got off the phone with the spousal support unit.....


I have her blessings......


So with that in mind.

If there are any veteran O/O's that are interested in pursuing this idea with me. Send me a PM and we can exchange contact information.

Also, the desire to contact some current 88A is growing. So I could use some help getting in touch with some that are approaching their transition or would help with some of the logistics stuff.

 

hmm,i gotta buy a truck..lol i can run NE

 

PM. Sent

 

Sure hope there is enough interest here to at least pursue some of the preliminary crap to see what is feasible, and or required.

 

I am currently checking into,

It's going to take a bit. I got a decent handle on what to do to get authority and all that. Just not the capitol at the moment to make it happen.

At my current rate, I can see it happening in 2014 sometime.

 

I haul part time for a little extra money with ex-military equipment, mostly a 1983 M915A1, sometimes my old 1970 XM818. I was active duty Navy, as a EN (diesel mechanic.)

I got the Air Force (current employer) to train me to drive their trucks- I don't run the railroad on base much and hate sitting around, so now I drive a little for them and drive busses during exercises. I took the written (computer) tests and got my CDL class A no problem from my state. The skills test the AF made me do lasted 6 times as long and went 4 times a far as the civilian skills test would have...

 

Fedex Ground counts military driving as long as it's tractor trailer. That's how I got in with them. I had only 8 months with Swift and I needed a year exp. I was in the military but never drove a piece of equipment. I had a buddy who was admin in the military vouch for me, they can only call to verify.

 

You might call it 64C too... for us older Vets. Don't remember when they changed to 88M, but in the 80's it was 64C.

You guys are dead on right about the experience not counting and it's really because it is not verifiable. My DD214 states Motor Transport Operator and the dates I started and finished training. Nothing more about my time as a driver.

I was in one of the only two units that hauled Nukes in Germany back in the 80's. We were required to have Top Secret Nuclear Surety Clearances and some of the runs we did were highly classified. I can't really verify some of the miles if you know what I mean.

Another one of our regular commitments was hauling AAA missiles out of Weilerbach Army Depot. Hawks and Nike mostly to remote mountain top sites. Again more stuff the Army would never confirm nor deny.


To the OP:

The experience will help you when you are out there as "the new guy" and they find out you can back better than the guy who has been there a year and came straight from CDL school. The skill set you learned will help you advance and progress at a faster pace.

Good job planning ahead, don't do what I did and get a DUI 8 months before you get out. It puts the plans to drive on hold for a while. Then life happens and before you know it you are scratching your head wondering where the years have gone and why you are not out on the road.

Thanks for your continued service and best of luck!

 

Not sure why so many have issues with finding jobs after the military, but then I was driving before and during my stint. I can only speak for myself but found that most people who have small companies will find your skills and disciplined work ethics a blessing, if you get your CDL's and look for a small company to work with rather than the mega fleets you may do better.