Questions about A.I.T school

Ill keep it brief. Im a newbie (no cdl or experience) except for driving lowboys in the U.S. Army for 10 yrs. A.I.T told me "no prob" come see us. So I did only to be told because I have a D.W.A.I from 2001 (which i told them about before I drove all the way out to Las Vegas) they couldnt help me unless I paid for the school myself. This is after they told me they wouldnt even take me on as a student unless they got me a job with a trucking company first. Im confused. I have a D.W.A.I in 2001, a speeding ticket in 2007 and a speeding ticket in 2005. I have no other convictions of any kind. Is this so bad that I should forget about tryin to be a driver? would anyone hire with that record (post 9/11)? Thanx for takin the time. O ya I already filled out an app for CREngland and they never got back with me.