Military Truck Driver

[GI_James]

Greetings all...

I'm currently a truck driver in the Military. Have been driving truck for 12 years. I have over the road expierence in many countries, flatbed, box, munitions/haz-mat & some tanker experience.

I'm looking to possibly seperate in 6 months to 1 year due to medical reasons. My plan is to use my knowledge of Military Transportation to become a contractor and transport military cargo. Upon seperation, I will purchase a used tractor/trailor to get me started. I was talking with someone who was thinking of doing the same thing, and he mentioned to start off with driving for a Company (OTR), then go off on your own.

I don't mind spending some time away from my family, but I have spent plenty of time away from my family in far away lands behind the wheel of trucks. Would like to try to spend as much time with family as possible. I'm sure spending time with family every week or so is better than missing them for 9 months to 1 year.

Any advice from prior service drivers or anyone would be well appreciated. I'm working on a resume, hope to have it completed soon.

Thanks,
-Strick

[Sealord]

Most US OTR companies will not recognize your experience because you didn't operate under the same rules. In most cases you'll have to go thru a training (retraining?) regimen to earn a CDL before you'll be employable. They will reconize that you'll be at the top of the heap due to work ethic including working without immediate supervision, ability to pass drug tests, a sense of not exceeding the safety envelope, and mission orientation (get-er-done). I was pestered beyond belief by companies when they found out I had in interest in working as a driver and that was before I'd earned a CDL. BOL

[GI_James]

Most US OTR companies will not recognize your experience because you didn't operate under the same rules. In most cases you'll have to go thru a training (retraining?) regimen to earn a CDL before you'll be employable. They will reconize that you'll be at the top of the heap due to work ethic including working without immediate supervision, ability to pass drug tests, a sense of not exceeding the safety envelope, and mission orientation (get-er-done). I was pestered beyond belief by companies when they found out I had in interest in working as a driver and that was before I'd earned a CDL. BOL

I will have a FL Class-A CDL... if that matters...

[Folsom Flash]

For the most part the military experience is worthless in the private sector and you'll be starting as a new driver for both insurance and pay purposes. I know it's hard to swallow and you feel shafted but it's just the way it is. I'm retired military (AF & CG) and it sucked to be starting over but at you'll look like a hero in truck school and your test drive.

You'll need to work for a company for about a year to become considered a seasoned driver but for most military or government contracts you'll need at least two years and up to five for some cases.

You do look very good to get hired though as you're a proven performer with a track record of getting the job done under crap conditions. You can look at top tier companies instead of the garbage jobs some folks have to start in with this industry.

[GI_James]

For the most part the military experience is worthless in the private sector and you'll be starting as a new driver for both insurance and pay purposes. I know it's hard to swallow and you feel shafted but it's just the way it is. I'm retired military (AF & CG) and it sucked to be starting over but at you'll look like a hero in truck school and your test drive.

You'll need to work for a company for about a year to become considered a seasoned driver but for most military or government contracts you'll need at least two years and up to five for some cases.

You do look very good to get hired though as you're a proven performer with a track record of getting the job done under crap conditions. You can look at top tier companies instead of the garbage jobs some folks have to start in with this industry.

wow... you're right, I won't like that... I still consider myself very experienced, not only do I drive Tractor trailer, but wrecker, bus & whatever else is needed.

Thanks for the info...

[yoopr]

KBR :P

[repete]

when I got out the people at the NY DMV pretty much laughed when I showed them my mil-license. But not all is lost!! check out the big guys you do have an edge. I know SNI used to take recent exmilitary and had a scaled down training class for them.
BEST OF LUCK & THANK YOU, WELCOME HOME BROTHER!

[GI_James]

KBR :P

Sorry... I drove with KBR in Iraq... Uhh... NO... will not be driving FOR them... (I provided security for them)...

[yoopr]

KBR :P

Sorry... I drove with KBR in Iraq... Uhh... NO... will not be driving FOR them... (I provided security for them)...

Well maybe you were running shotgun with me then. :P I drove for them in '04

[GI_James]

KBR :P

Sorry... I drove with KBR in Iraq... Uhh... NO... will not be driving FOR them... (I provided security for them)...

Well maybe you were running shotgun with me then. :P I drove for them in '04

Yup... I was there Sept '04... from Anaconda...

[yoopr]

KBR :P

Sorry... I drove with KBR in Iraq... Uhh... NO... will not be driving FOR them... (I provided security for them)...

Well maybe you were running shotgun with me then. :P I drove for them in '04

Yup... I was there Sept '04... from Anaconda...

I too was based out of Camp Mortarittaville :P
I left August 28th-I bet you knew my Crew-It was Pooh Bears Crew-all combat vets. Best tanker crew in Iraq

[GI_James]

KBR :P

Sorry... I drove with KBR in Iraq... Uhh... NO... will not be driving FOR them... (I provided security for them)...

Well maybe you were running shotgun with me then. :P I drove for them in '04

Yup... I was there Sept '04... from Anaconda...

Here's a link to some of my pics... you may recognize your truck...

http://strickstuff.com/photo/main.php?g2_itemId=3871

I was with the Air Force Gun Trucks... 2632nd...

[silvan]

you'll look like a hero in truck school and your test drive.

No you won't. We had an ex-USAF driver in my trucking school class, and me made all of us look really bad. Give him his CDL already and put him to work far away from here. We're tired of looking stupid.

[GI_James]

you'll look like a hero in truck school and your test drive.

No you won't. We had an ex-USAF driver in my trucking school class, and me made all of us look really bad. Give him his CDL already and put him to work far away from here. We're tired of looking stupid.

??

[yoopr]

KBR :P

Sorry... I drove with KBR in Iraq... Uhh... NO... will not be driving FOR them... (I provided security for them)...

Well maybe you were running shotgun with me then. :P I drove for them in '04

Yup... I was there Sept '04... from Anaconda...

Here's a link to some of my pics... you may recognize your truck...

http://strickstuff.com/photo/main.php?g2_itemId=3871

I was with the Air Force Gun Trucks... 2632nd...

Don't remember which AF Unit was with us one night but the .50 Gunner wiped out about 25 Haji's when they set up a ambush on us near Taji.
I liked Al Asad but it sure sucked getting there. Lost quite a few guys in AO Phoenix.
I have lots of photos also-How did you take a pic with Night Vision?

[yoopr]

My buddy who was in a convoy ahead of us on AO Phoenix(Hit a Russian Landmine)



I'm sure you remember this sign by Haditha lmao


RIP Mr. Z

[yoopr]

Your Kuwait pics look Eerily like Camp Wolverine :P

[GI_James]

Don't remember which AF Unit was with us one night but the .50 Gunner wiped out about 25 Haji's when they set up a ambush on us near Taji.
I liked Al Asad but it sure sucked getting there. Lost quite a few guys in AO Phoenix.
I have lots of photos also-How did you take a pic with Night Vision?

I just stuck the camera lens in my NVGs & presto... it worked. I don't remember if it was us who hit the 25 haji's, but we lit a van-full up w/ the .50 cal... needless to say, the AK-47 fire stopped...

[GI_James]

you'll look like a hero in truck school and your test drive.

No you won't. We had an ex-USAF driver in my trucking school class, and me made all of us look really bad. Give him his CDL already and put him to work far away from here. We're tired of looking stupid.

silvan:

If you could elaborate on this more, I would appreciate it. I consider myself a good driver. I've been training the younger guys on Tractor Trailer for years now. Although I may not have as many OTR miles as civilian truckers, I still have racked up my share... I've driven in mountains, desert, snow, rain, probably everywhere in between. Now, I'm not saying that I'm a know-it-all, there's lots to learn. I know nothing about log books, and I never stop at weigh stations, and I've never been limited to how long I can drive. Having said that, I'm sure I can quickly pick up what is needed right away. Driving for myself is primary, driving for a company is secondary. I already have my foot in the door to move AF cargo. I just need a truck & trailer...

-James

[Trucker4Life]

What most people are trying to say is "driving" a truck and being a truck driver are two different things. Like I was told when I started looking (same boat as you), the days of "jumping in Uncle Bob's cornbinder and learning on the farm roads" are over. There are a lot of people who can drive the truck extremely well, but you have to understand the rules, both for the insurance companies and yourself (to be able to make any money).
If you are just now getting your CDL, your military experience will be of no use to you. No companies will see the military as true OTR experience. If you had gotten your CDL several years ago, along with that experience, then you might could "sell yourself" to a smaller company willing to train you on logs and such. That is what I did.
If you have the GI Bill, you might check out Werner (shutter and spit!) as they will allow you to draw on your benefits your first year (6 mo full benefits, 3 mo 3/4 benefits, 3 mo 1/2 benefits). If you can do it for a year, it will allow you to boost your income during your lean training year, then get out on your own. Just some thoughts...
Ken