Veteran with a question

Another thing...save your receipt for HAZMAT background and some companies will reimburse you the 86.50 when you get going.

 

Conway truckload has a vet program too. Don't know the details but do know its there.

 

I would be cautious about an employer who purports to provide "veteran incentives" when very likely they are merely taking advantage of the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC).

 

Why would it matter if a company gets a tax break for hiring vets as long as the vets get taken care of also. If I can receive $14000 a year tax free for the first 12 months to work for company A or nothing for working for company B...Guess what? I'm working for the company that I get an extra 1200 a month with. After a year if an applicant is not happy with company A than that is the time to look at company B.

There are companies out there that are starting their drivers at 16 cpm or rushing to put some young kid in a lease with $1000 a week payment that are way more deceitful than some company that gets tax incentives for hiring Veterans or the disabled.

That is smart business and I would rather work for a company that is smart and takes advantage of the programs that are out there than a company that takes advantage of their employees.

 

Here's a few companies that also participate in the V.A. apprenticeship program, or have programs to help us veterans get started as a truck driver.

Maverick
Melton Truck Lines
Hornady Transportation
Cargo Transporters
Epes Transport


I'm a soon to be Army veteran myself with 13 years of service as a 13M (MLRS).

 

Just as warhippy has stated, I am looking at veteran programs because there are some that allow what is called an "apprenticeship" recognition for the department of VA. They allow us to use our Montgomery GI or Post 9-11 under the "apprenticeship" section that would allow us to receive up to about 1300 extra a month depending on the companies headquarters location. (and as stated, it is TAX FREE!)

So when it comes to it, I dont care about if they get a tax credit. That is just an incentive for them to get veterans out in to the workforce and OFF of the streets since we have way too many homeless veterans. There are also recognition programs by the department of labor, department of veteran affairs and other government agencies that will label these companies as military friendly workforces.

For instance, TMC is approved by the VA to offer the apprenticeship for up to 2 yrs. So as you are working on climbing the CPM ladder, you are receiving up to 1200 a month with them for up to 2 yrs... tell me who would not like that kind of money.

but the guidance I was seeking, was if anyone has been out there and utilized these programs and how they operate.

I very much appreciate the incite and I am being VERY cautious as to what companies have to offer, (like these CDL schools that are just as you are stating, a way to capitalize more money). I take what the recruiters say with a grain of salt, but it is all that most have to go off of until I get more incite from truckers like yourself that have dealt with or talked to others that may have had run ins with people from these companies.

 

Thanks for the heads up Ford L8000. I will look into these companies as well. I had spent almost 7 yrs as a 13F. did 2 tours 12 months in Afghanistan, 2010-2010 and 15 in Iraq, 2007-2009.

 

I was with 3rd BDE, 4th ID 2007-2009 in Iraq also....COP Callahan in Baghdad.

The VA Apprenticeship doesn't pay full 1300 for the entire time. After nine months it starts going down...75%...then 50%....then last 6 months is 25%. Thats the 2 year program. 12 month only goes down at 9 months to 75% (about $950).

How it works is someone in the company you go with is responsible for the VA program. They help you start the paperwork AFTER you complete orientation and send it off to the VA in St Louis. Of course they hold on to it forever and when they finally process it they back pay you to the date you started or the first full month after you started....that depends on what you request.

It will take 90-120 days AFTER it is submitted to get paid. I have heard some who got it as quick as 50 days and others that waited four months. Either way they will back date it.

Any other questions???

 

I was in COP Corrigador, about 15 KM outside of BIAP from SEP 07-Jan 09. I was with 1-33 CAV, 3rd BDE, 101st Airborne.

No, I mean I am going to be using my VA for my trucking school in January to get my CDL back, but pretty much getting a good list from all that have responded. I thank you and all the rest for your responses!

 

No problem, I was in Iraq in 2003 for the initial invasion, about to transfer to the reserves and be an 88M.