Have Military Driving Experience, Going for CDL - School or no School?

in MN or so I was told that if you have a CDL or tractor trailer license in the military it wil transfer over. I would look into Schnieder they have military program set up and you can use the VA money to help supplement the income at first so you get up to a extra 1000 a month throught the VA.

 

the post 9-11 gi bill is SOOOO much better than MGIB. i used half my benefits with the old ch 30? and I would get like 1600 a month, and that was both for the schools payment and anything left was mine. the past year and a half i was going to school, using the post 9-11 and they now pay the school directly, and then i ALSO got E5 BAH for where i was living so it was like i was getting double the benefits after switching over to the new one ( I had to fill out some paperwork to get switched over from the regular Montgomery GI bill to the post 9-11, but i really have no clue why anyone wouldnt)

I think if you attend the school before your terminal leave is over ( i assume you are on terminal since you said you would be attending 60 days before you got out) you might not be able to get full tuition payed, since technically you are still in and while on active duty you only get like 50% or something like that? can always call them and find out, once you finally get thru to someone on the benefits line they are really helpful.

 

Al these companies you are being told require school are the low paying abusive OTR carriers you want to avoid . You should be able to transfer your military license to a CDL . There are small local companies that will accept your experience . The large carrier " veterans programs " are a joke . They are just trying to get your GI Bill money to teach you what you already know .
There is a reason the large carriers have over 80% turnover and always have fresh meat going through their orientation classes .
Check out expediting carriers . (FedEx Custom Critical , Panther ). They have put CDL mill graduates right in trucks . The lifestyle is a whole lot better than OTR truckload .

 

TDI isn't a bad school. I went there back in 96' and my wife went too! It was actually a blast!

You need to keep in mind that it isn't like looking for a college. Those CDL schools are there to get you your license and prepare you to go with a trainer of your chosen company. You are not a professional driver when you graduate from there!

As long as they are accredited and companies are excepting students from the school then go for it! Don't stress about choosing a school. Save all of your worrying for when you get out on the road!

 

Hey Larryparker, you meant DD214, right?? And MiltoCiv, have you looked into using TA from your ed center?? If you are getting medically retired there is also the option of using Voc Rehab?? They will pay for everything except buying you a new truck!!

 

Gisquid,
A DD214 is basicly your dischare, or record of service. I was mistaken on the DD314. It was the DD348, Equipment Operators Qualifaction Record. I am sorry for the mistake, but I have been retired 20 years now, and I have forgotten more than I remember.

Happy Holidays, and safe miles.

Larry

 

I retired from the Army a few years ago, what I did about 6 months before my actual retirement date was look into goverment grant programs and found one that applied to active duty military transitioning (Retiring/ETS). Army Career Alumi Program (ACAP) if you are Army will have details. Anyway I found the AVOTEC PROGRAM, which is grant (Free) funds used to pay for a Soldiers needed civilian certifications and yes CDL was a qualifying certification. I was a 88M in the Army and drove all types of wheeled vehicles over a 20 year career but was lacking a CDL. I filled out paperwork and was approved for the cost of the $4200 Truck Driving School offered at the local community college. I took 30 days of leave and went to school for the 26 day period and finished up aceing the driving test down at the DMV. Don't come into this industry being on the financial hook to one of these trucking companys if you have other resources.

 

Go to school I did.