New To Trucking, Seeking Advice

I am a new guy. I have used the search feature extensively but still looking for some professional advice.

Brief History, Marine Corps Vet (Semper Fi to all you gun club members I am seeing post), 43 years old doing the career change thing. I am based out of Central Florida

Currently I have been talking to Prime, Wil-Trans, PAM and Stevens. Sadly Wil-Trans denied me today because of an accident that happened almost two years ago (I was not hurt, nobody else was involved) It is what it is, I was excited about the possibility with them. I am GI Bill eligible, Post 9/11.

MY current goals in this industry are to preferably get into the tanker business. Pay my dues, OTR, just gain some tremendous experience. I am not even thinking about O/O anytime soon and absolutely have 0 interest in any form of Lease BS.

I was excited about Wil-Trans (Though they are exclusively Reefers) and the possibility of using the GI Bill Apprenticeship program. Prime does not offer GI Bill Apprenticeship program. Stevens does. Not sure about PAM and realistically I am no longer really thinking about them.

I am considering more recently the thought of just using my GI Bill for a school here in Florida and knocking that out. My questions about that are the following. 1. I would go to school full time, with that said, what schools in Florida offer quality and a decent schedule. I Do not want to be in school for 8 weeks but at the same time I certainly do not want to overlook quality while being done in 3, unless that is feasible. 2. What companies in the tanker industry hire direct from CDL schools in Florida? 3. Would the time in school out of work hurt my work history background. I have been steadily employed or in College for well over 10 years now.

Thanks for any and all advice.

 

Absolutely. I really did not get into my background out of personal choice. But let me just say that I have done numerous things since 2005, probably too many. A few were incredible positions in Power generation and Aviation. Also my Dad has been a O/O and driver for over 30 years now, my Grandfather drove back in the day and I have 3 incredible friends who currently drive that I have had extensive conversations with. I do not enter this realm lightly or completely blinded. That said, I do appreciate that. I know that many do not properly research and run head first off a cliff.