(Photo by Lê Minh from Pexels)
written by Briana Hilton
If you look at truck driver statistics, you’ll discover a significant population of veterans work as truck drivers. According to a report shared by the Driver Resource Center, out of the 18 million veterans in the US, one in four veterans are truckers. So, what’s the reason behind having many veteran truck drivers? Is trucking one of the most viable careers for post-military veterans? The answer is simple- trucking companies are recruiting retired service members daily. For veterans, working with trucking companies guarantees job stability and a prosperous future. In this post, we’ll focus on why trucking companies are committed to recruiting veterans.
Addressing the Driver Shortage
From the outside looking in, it’s not obvious that there’s a shortage of truck drivers in the US. After all, there are millions of trucks on the highway, shipping goods to every corner of the USA. But the trucking industry needs 80,000 truckers to meet increasing demand for cargo delivery. So, what’s causing the truck driver shortage? Top on the list is an aging workforce. More drivers are leaving the industry through retirement than those being recruited. Some are switching to different careers, leaving a gap in the sector. Then there’s a slowdown in training and licensing, meaning it’s taking longer to recruit, train, and license new truck drivers.
One way of addressing the truck driver shortage is recruiting veterans. The trucking industry is one sector where veterans can easily leverage skills from their military background. So, they often seek job opportunities as truck drivers, providing a pipeline of skilled and reliable workers for trucking companies. Many veterans have experience driving large vehicles, which makes it easier for them to pass the written and road tests required to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Apart from driving experience, veterans can access CDL training quickly and at affordable rates under the GI Bill. You can apply this CDL training funding program through the Veterans Affairs website. To get your application approved faster, provide your social security number, military service history, bank account details and the CDL training facility you want to attend.
Leverage Leadership Skills
Another reason recruiting veterans makes sense is access to their leadership abilities. Truck companies want drivers who can show initiative and take the lead to provide solutions to potential problems. As a military veteran, you have an advantage over other job seekers because you have leadership experience. You can instruct peers, manage teams, and take charge of situations that affect your work. For instance, you can predict potential risks on the road and advise members of your team on how to avoid them. Think of it this way: when you’re in service, you are trained to recognize and resolve conflicts in your team without constant guidance.
You can apply these skills in trucking to spot issues that affect efficiency in transportation. For instance, you could detect problems like route planning inconsistencies and causes of frequent breakdowns. Then work together with fleet managers to prioritize regular truck maintenance to avoid breakdowns and route optimization to boost efficiency. For trucking companies, hiring professionals who can detect problems and offer solutions is vital to reducing downtime and saving costs.
Veterans Promise Commitment
Truck drivers spend up to ten hours behind the wheel for days or even weeks. The slightest mistake can have serious consequences when driving a truck. It’s crucial that drivers stay focused every second while on the road. Besides ensuring safety on the road, drivers must deliver cargo to the right destination and on time. Since veterans excel working in goal oriented environments, they dedicate their time to complete tasks. And trucking firms want to leverage the commitment veterans have nurtured for years to provide timely deliveries and ensure safety while in transit.
Recruiting veteran drivers has become a first option for trucking firms for various reasons. One, retired military men and women constantly seek work in the trucking industry. So, they are readily available for hire and can help address the shortage of drivers. Second, the unique leadership skills veterans have provide solutions to problems that affect transportation. And third, veterans have a history of staying committed to achieving set goals, meaning they’ll ensure timely deliveries.
