Military Apprenticeship Program

I've decided to use the ole GI Bill before it runs out and get into trucking. What a great program. Already spoke with a Schneider recruiter and am filling out paperwork for school and pre filling out paperwork for Schneider's Apprenticeship Program today.

My plan is to be in school in June and on the roads by late July or early August with Schneider Bulk out of, Charlotte, NC. These forums have been a big help in getting a bit of knowledge about the industry.

Will try to update my experience with the program as I get through school and if Schneider picks me up after orientation.

Particulars:
Going to Roadmaster in Dunn.
Clean everything, MVR, background, etc. (Current Security Clearance has expired)
20 years 9 months with the US Army serving from the Presidential Honor Guard to 82D ABD.
3 tours Iraq
Did Real Estate for a while, and really didn't care for sales.
Wife and kids so getting home once a month will be great. Kids are a bit older so they don't need constant supervision.
Love archery and will be foregoing bow season this year to focus on learning driving.
Enjoy writing as a hobby, and hope to write a novel while out on the road. (We'll see how that goes).
Prepared for living the suck while I learn the job.
Already studying the CLP, HAZMAT, Tanker, Air Brakes, etc. (Take the practice tests daily and watch pre trip videos on Youtube)
19D and China have provided a ton of advice over the last couple of weeks. Hat tip.

 

I took up the bow so I could have something to do with the kids in the backyard, and now it's a bit of an addiction. They love it and so do I. Hunting is in my blood. Got to get into the woods from time to time. Kids are eager to go, but aren't quite ready yet. I'll figure it out. We do have a long as heck season here and an additional urban season.

 

Thank you. How cool is that? Hope to see you out on the roads later this summer or fall. I start school the 19th. After all the schooling I've had in the military, how hard can it be? I doubt pre trip is as hard as slingload or JMPI testing. lol

 

I haven't gone to Schneider. Schneider is a great starter company with a good training program for tankers. The only reason I'm not with them right now is their dismissal of my 20 years of service due to it being more than 2 years since I retired.

I have no interest in dragging vans around so I haven't looked at that side of the company.

My CDL with T endorsement is in hand, and I'm waiting for my TWIC and HAZMAT to come back. Currently there are two companies I am looking at.

Superior Carriers is an excellent company but HAZMAT is required before you can start there. They don't do tuition reimbursement, but the 10 grand more your first year makes up for that. 7 grand more in the end with them your first year.

Waccamaw is a local gas company I'm speaking with. A day cab job might be nice. They don't advertise it much, but they will take folks right out of school on a case by case basis. If they'll submit the paperwork monthly for the apprenticeship program, I might just be home every day with most weekends off.

Anyway, you know how it is. I'm not desperate for a job so I am able to weigh my options. I still like a lot of things about Schneider Bulk, and am keeping them in my top 3 or 4.

My wife is considering a job on the western side of NC starting next spring. If she decides this week she wants it, I might just bite the bullet and go to Schneider. Switching terminals with Superior or having to quit Waccamaw is something I might want to avoid in my first 10 months.

My suggestion is to grab Schneider at senior pay, get TWIC and HAZMAT, then after a year go anywhere you want. As I said, they'd be my top choice if they weren't dismissing my 20 years.

 

Also, go to Schneider jobs and type in your zip code. The jobs available to you will come up.

For you, the pay won't be low. They will recognize your service and give you senior pay starting out since you are within their window for recognizing service.

Like I said, it's too bad they put an expiration date on my service to county.