What can I do to get myself better prepared?

Good evening all,
I'm a currently serving active duty Army enlisted. My retirement date is 30June2024. I've ever only wanted to do two things my whole life. Fix apache helicopters and drive trucks. I will have spent 20 years fixing apaches so I'm already looking forward to being on the road in a truck. I know the life is hard on the road, but I've already had it rough in the Army. I'm single with one kid who will be in college by the time I retire so home time is not an issue.
What I'm on here for. I have 5 years to start planning and prepping. Is there anything I could do now in my free time to start on my road to a trucking career that will not interfere with my Army requirements? I'm currently an AIT instructor and will be here for 3 years where I'm guaranteed weekends and holidays off. My brother-in-law is currently a driver and has been driving for almost 8 years. He has suggested for me to work with TMC trucking. He is also gonna see if he can get me into his own truck from time to time. He's an owner-operator.
My current plan is at least 5 years with TMC as a company driver to save money. I'm sure that between my trucking income and my retirement/disability income I will be able to save the money required (including an overhead/maintenance fun) to purchase and brand new truck. Then I will run as an o/o with TMC for as long as they will keep me. I do well financially and will have all personal debt paid off by the time I retire, plus a nice savings set aside.
Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Best Regards

P.S. Yes I know I can make the same if not more with a lot of home time sticking with my current aviation career field. I personally just want to drive. The only job I will take pertaining to aviation after retirement would be if I'm offered a job as an FSR (field service rep) with Boeing. That is the only job that would keep me out of the seat.

 

1st, thank you for your service, and many ex-military go into trucking, not sure why. I think after the military service, a desk job just won't cut it. It's difficult to prepare for a trucking job, if you have the basics, and with a military background, I'm sure you do, best way, is to jump right in. Being military, if you can prove to someone you can handle a truck, you may be able to skip training, and "on-the -job" training always worked for me. New truck might be a problem. At over $100g's per truck, it takes a lot of trucking to make that work, more than you may have bargained for, and some idiot pulls out in front of you, it's all gone in an instant. Lot of good older trucks out there, and if it doesn't work for some reason, you aren't straddled with debt. That's how I did it. It's a lot harder getting out of it, than getting into it, trust me. Good luck.

 

By the time you get out everything will be automatic and self driving or we will be replaced entirely

 

I've been where you are and understand your mind goes into overdrive the closer you get to your EAOS. Personally, I would spend the next 5 years aligning myself for that Boeing job. Regardless of your choice, I wish you good luck and thank's for your service.

 

Concentrate on being healthy and make sure you have a good driving record when you get out. That’s it.

 

I forgot to tell you, go for the Boeing job.

 

I would consider a quality RV and just take your 20 years retirement etc and enjoy. No need to fritter that future away dealing with idiot civilians who are obtuse and are not hearing you explain when that trailer is going to get there.

Trucks have become almost Alive would be a word for it. Lose a pint in coolant and boom stranded throwing codes all over the place. It's outrageous to me when I remember the old iron with none of that silly computer and emissions stuff. (It's not silly, but a regulated liability you wont believe until you see it)

 

Sounds like you might be planning a bit conservatively. Nothing wrong with that.

Coming straight out of the service, flat bedding should not be any physical challenge for you.

5 years o/o before getting your own truck is a long time. Unless you absolutely, positively, will not finance any part of the purchase cost of a truck.

I always suggest a minimum of a year or two as a company driver before going o/o so someone else pays for your 'learning experiences.'

You might want to keep an ear out for companies that specialize in aviation parts. Your knowledge of the field might make you more valuable to the right company.

 

Boeing is alright but it's kind of impersonal. Check out these guys:


Erickson Incorporated | Aviation, Defense, and Manufacturing

 

Thank you! And on the truck note. I want to purchase one brand new cash. Figure after 5 years I’ll know if I really want to stick with it.