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CDL....Training...and the Army Reserves?

Discussion in 'PAM' started by Jbentley8383, Sep 20, 2009.

  1. Sep 20, 2009 #1
    Jbentley8383

    Jbentley8383 Bobtail Member

    2
    0
    Sep 20, 2009
    Fort Hood, Texas
    0
    I got a CDL from a military wavier about 2 months ago. Now..the reason I got a wavier was because I been driving a 26,000 lb. military vehicle (Fuel Tanker) for the past 3 years(I'm in the Army BTW).
    EVER since I got my CDL(it's Tanker & Hazmat Endorsed) I been giving in many resumes to trucking companies..and any open position that involves basically "transportation" or "trucking". And no one is replying back.

    I'm thinking it's because I DON'T have experience driving on the road with a Commercial Truck. I know I know...large military vehicles don't run like commercial vehicles..BUT I do have plenty of experience driving my military tanker vehicle(fuel truck). I have driven it on public streets in the states & overseas(Korea) without any accidents every since I been in the military (since 2006).

    But anyway.....IMO..I feel I'm not getting any job offers because i don't have the "on-the-road" experience..Soooooo I filled out an app online with Driver Solutions..I called my agent & I plan on starting my training Oct 5th with C1. My agent also told me I was "pre-hired" (whatever that means) to work with Choctaw.

    Question tho..........My contract with the Army(Active Duty) ends on Oct 24(I'm on Leave till my end date)...Before that time I plan on joining the Amry Reserves so I can AT LEAST spend time with my family on the weekend(weekend nights anyway). Do you think that Choctaw won't hire me due to the fact that I might already be in the Army Reserves(if I join the Reserves before my Oct 5th training)?

    I mean..it's against the law for them to fire you...but not against the law for them to NOT hire you if you're in the Reserves already.
     
    Jbentley8383, Sep 20, 2009
    Jbentley8383, Sep 20, 2009
    #1
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  3. Sep 20, 2009 #2
    notarps4me

    notarps4me Road Train Member

    10,311
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    Jan 1, 2007
    NASA HQ
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    That is how I got my start. I pulled a flat and a tanker in the army. I got out and BSed my way into a KW with a 13 speed pulling a tanker. I thought the same as you, but let me tell you it is 2 different worlds.. I went into the reserves later and deployed twice. I will tell you this it is tough trying to get in for drill and having to make up for the ones you miss. Plus when you get home you want to be with family and you have to go drill. Not trying to discourage you, but as a company driver it is tough to pull off.

    Broncrider is a O/O and still in the reserves. He might have some tips for you, but remember he owns his own truck. Good luck in whatever you do and thanks for serving!:biggrin_25514:
     
    notarps4me, Sep 20, 2009
    notarps4me, Sep 20, 2009
    #2
    shriner75 and 25(2)+2 Thank this.
  4. Sep 20, 2009 #3
    Jbentley8383

    Jbentley8383 Bobtail Member

    2
    0
    Sep 20, 2009
    Fort Hood, Texas
    0
    Another Question: When I get to my training do you think other students will look at me odd because i already have my CDL & they don't? They have to take all those sections of the CDL written portion(1/8 of the questions are pretty tricky) while all I have to do is sit back & relax.

    Also...Technically if I do sign with the Reserves they own you from 12:00AM Saturday - 11:59PM Sunday. So basically I'm thinking(I'm not a professional in the industry) that the trucking company will give you enough time to travel before Sat at Midnight to get to your duty station. I know...The Reserves do drills from like 8am-4pm.
    BTW..I'm not really worried about deployments....if I sign up I have the Stabilization Policy that comes with the contract...so I won't go anywhere for 2 years.
     
    Jbentley8383, Sep 20, 2009
    Jbentley8383, Sep 20, 2009
    #3
  5. Sep 20, 2009 #4
    notarps4me

    notarps4me Road Train Member

    10,311
    5,253
    Jan 1, 2007
    NASA HQ
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    Actually no. You can get several muta 5's where you report friday at 1700 or sooner if you are traveling out. Something else to consider. Load plans change. Weather, wrecks, traffic, truck breakdowns, there is all kind of unforseen things in trucking. I have missed my share of drills.

    One other thing you will probably have problems shifting a civilian rig. You are used to taching 19 & 21
     
    notarps4me, Sep 20, 2009
    notarps4me, Sep 20, 2009
    #4
  7. May 30, 2011 #5
    Hoodrostar

    Hoodrostar Bobtail Member

    1
    0
    May 30, 2011
    Meridian,Ms
    0
    Wow good stuff good stuff .I've been driving flatbed for The Army Reserve for like 17 years .Been deployed twice with no accidents .I want go to a CDL school to get my CDL .I've heard of the waivers you can get .But how do I go about getting one ? And are there any schools out there that the Army will pay for ?
     
    Hoodrostar, May 30, 2011
    Hoodrostar, May 30, 2011
    #5
  8. Jul 7, 2011 #6
    pavlonperez

    pavlonperez Bobtail Member

    17
    4
    Jun 27, 2011
    newark,nj
    0
    im in the national guard they told me all i can do is get reimbursed so thats money out of your pockets, NJ national guard is a educational officer is a big dummie and a slow and dont seem to know what he is doing... im doing with C1 at fort worth,tx then pray to get reimbursed
     
    pavlonperez, Jul 7, 2011
    pavlonperez, Jul 7, 2011
    #6
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