Trucking vs. Military

In the military you are going to be doing a lot more than just driving a truck. That is not necessarily a bad thing but dont get the idea that all you are going to do is get behind the wheel as if you were driving for a trucking company.

 

i dont think the mos is 88m anymore...they just changed a bunch of them around

but as a 88m expect to see the desert, an no you wont just be driving....you will dig fighting positions, pull guard, get kp and all kinds of fun stuff

driving civilian you deal with shipper, 4 wheelers and even more fun stuff

either way i wouldnt change any of my carrier choices

 

IMO, trucking and the military are two of the most important and respectable jobs in our country (along with farming of course). I think either way you'll be fine. Military sounds like a good avenue then trucking when you get out. A friend of mine drove truck in the military and always said he wouldn't trade it for the world.

 

Is the military still giving out those large sign on bonuses?

 

They're still giving out those bonuses. Most of them are given to those taking direct combat related careers (Infantryman, Cavalry Scout, Field Artillery). A few are giving to Combat Support such as Truck Driver but think between 3-5k if there is a need and with a career liek that there isn't much. I loved my four years of service as a truck driver. When the front line gets tired if walking and the MRE's start tasting like rubber the supply lines need you to bring the water, food rations, oh and most importantly bullets, lots and lots of bullets. I made the most money and worked the hardest in the Army. If you choose this avenue, take pride in what you do and the uniform you wear. Same with truck driving. Do yourself a favor and talk to a few soldiers, sailors, etc. Listen to their story, consider the source, take what you need and leave the rest there. The recruiter will tell you the sky is purple if you let them snow you. I hope this helps



Grinn

 

First is it possible to take online classes?
Very possible thing to do.....

Army or truck driving?
Well I personally think every abled body should serve their great country for a min of 2 years if you ask me.....
Now you pretty much would be guaranteed to be sent over to Iraq as a truck driver.... And they do see a lot of action not to mention the possibility of a IAD..... Military will give you a great experience but again there is always the possibility of losing your life.... But there is always a possibility on losing your life driving a Big truck In America as well.... You just don't get the chance to shoot back.....

 

I've done both. I retired from the Navy Seabee's as an Equipment Operator then went on and retired from ARCO where I drove a gasoline tanker. My military experience was different than most because I did alot of OTR driving. While in the service I hauled construction equipment up and down the coast of CA and then I had a duty station where I did nothing but haul specialized heavy equipment all over the U.S.. Most military truck experince is very limited and alot of companies will not consider that experience. But some will.

Years ago I was stationed on the east coast and the Navy their went on a 4 day work week. So I went out and got a job driving 7 southern states on the weekend. Then I'd haul explosives mon thru thurs. Out of 20 years there was only one 3 year period when I didn't drive.

I've driven Tankers, Flatbeds, Vans, Doubles, and Triples with alot of overloads. I've been OTR just like anyone else for months at a time and I've been local. My last job was with ARCO and it was all local but the best paying job I could ever wish for.

My advice to you is stay in the military and retire. You'll have plenty of time to get sick of the road but then you'll have a small cushion to fall back on. However, some don't like the military so I'll pass on the same advice that was given to me years ago. Stay in the service as long as you like going to work. If you wake up and hate it then it's time to get out. It may take a few months or it might take 20 years.

I got out to make the big bucks. And did. But I wish I would have stayed another 10 years to end up with 30 years. But that's me.

 

in my opinion theres ALOT of simalerities between trucking and the military.

both...
*require you to be away from home for long periods of time
*take alot of training and work and required a skilled person to perform it correctly
*have thier own lingo/language
*personel that have call signs/nicknames/handels

main differnce is no uniforms.. and in trucking you dont get shot at unless of course you look at the canadian border gaurd wrong or shut down in detriot. beyond that you shouldnt get shot # in trucking.

been to canada twice both times they threatend to shoot me. so i avoid canada now. %#*! canada