Each veteran has different expectations for re-entering the workforce, and for many, the trucking industry is an ideal option.
Every veteran who enters the workforce has different experiences and expectations when re-entering civilian life. Veterans have different wants, needs, families, and career desires than a typical civilian. In the trucking industry, there’s a plethora of opportunities for those leaving the military, such as a dispatcher, a local driver, fleet owner, or safety personnel.
Veterans are sought after as team members for any organization because of their discipline, organizational skills, and fierce dedication to service. Veterans excel in positions where quality, timeliness, and respect are prioritized because these qualities are instilled in them from years of service to their nation. These qualities are easily transferable to different parts of the transportation industry, such as customer service, working on the dock, or driving a truck.
“In trucking, there’s no better employee or colleague to have than former military personnel,” said Brad Sowa, Director of Driver Recruiting at Roadrunner Freight. “Long hours, hard work, extreme level of safety consciousness – I can’t think of anyone I’d rather work alongside, because they have already proven to have that experience.”
According to the Census Bureau, there are almost 22 million veterans of the U.S. armed services in this country, and about 9 million of them are part of the workforce. About 11 percent of them work in the trucking industry and affiliated industries. Regardless of educational background, experience in the military driving trucks counts as truck driving experience, and the qualities they learn on a day to day basis while serving make running a business more successful.
“In the military, you learn to pay attention to details, always be punctual, be open minded and you become a great listener. You learn to strive to want more,” said Glenn Johnson, Planning and Procurement Manager at Roadrunner Freight. “For drivers coming out of the military, it’s important to know all the responsibilities of being an owner operator. There’s a lot of responsibility, and it’s not easy, but someone who strives for more can make it possible.”
Roadrunner Freight and other transportation companies recognize the value of veteran team members and are heavily focused on bringing them into the transportation and trucking network. While the veteran unemployment rate reaches a low of 3.2 percent, the doors of opportunity for veterans are open.