Military Apprenticeship?

My suggestion would be to finance on your own(with a loan secured by you at a bank or credit union, cheaper interest) tuition at roadmaster and keep your GI bill to use for later education UNLESS you just do not see going to some type of higher learning ever. VA pays you a monthly stipend FROM your GI bill per month that decreases over time.

Paying for roadmaster yourself or even financed through roadmaster, would get paid back to you over time with SNI's tuition reimbursement program at $150 Month up to $6K. Other companies do this as well.

Maybe down the line you find that driving isnt really for you BUT some aspect of the industry appeals to you, management side etc that requires a degree. GI Bill would still be available to you later and wouldnt have been used as a salary supplement which is what this program is at its heart.


I may work here , but LTL offers better money and benefits than OTR. Having said that if there is a decent dedicated position near you with SNI or another carrier I definately recommend that job.

But with any job or company , do diligent research. Go in with eyes wide open.

Good luck and thanks for your service!

 

Several have posted on here recently they are atending or planning to attend Roadmasters in Tampa. Get the tanker/hazmat, doubles-triples endorsements plus a passport and TWIC. Google will show the nearest TWIC office to you. As mickeyrat68 posted, LTL pays very well and Southeastern in Orlando occasionally hires new CDL grads as driver trainees. Here are some more companies that hire new CDL grads if you have all the endorsements:

Melton Truck Lines
SVTN
Superior Carriers
CTL - OTR division
Schneider tanker division

Start a list of companies you're interested in so you're ready to send applications when you start school.
Go to top of this page and click on "CDL Practice Tests" to get started with the endorsements.

 

The VA apprenticeship program is 'free' money so to speak. It has nothing to do with actual education benefits. Certain companies throughout the U.S. participate in this program for veterans. The VA will pay you, directly, a certain amount (determined by which education benefits program you have i.e., GI Bill, Post 9/11) each month when the company you work for files the paperwork. It's basically a we show them you worked for us in this capacity for such and such month and the VA gives you money for essentially learning a new skill. It's usually up to 12 months but I have heard (from VA reps) it can be longer under some circumstances.

Take a look at Melton's info, http://www.meltontruck.com/military.php and also call a VA rep to get the straight dope from them to your ears so you understand exactly how it works.

Extra money can always be a plus!

 

I would encourage you to check out truck driving programs at local community or state colleges as well. Not only will your veterans education benefits pay for it (we're only talking about two months worth of tuition) but the training is usually better quality (MHO) than what you will get from Roadmaster AND cheaper. Plus if you have the Post 9/11 you can get the BAH stipend while you're in school. More free money!

 

I did the schneider military apprenticeship and it paid I think 1200 extra a month. Its classified as OJT training but really it is extra money for just being a vet. Easy money at that. There is no fine print.

 

but that comes out of your GI bill doesnt it?

 

No. It does not. At least that is what the VA rep told me. The actual amount you get is determined by what type of account you have (Post 9/11, Post Vietnam, etc.).

 

The pay goes by where the Oc is that your based from , GB is very low