Veterans leaving the military often find it difficult to make a switch to a completely different career and lifestyle. The multitude of career opportunities available can create confusion as they remain on a search for a job where they can use the experience and skills accumulated during years in the military to excel in the role.
The job of a truck driver has emerged as a front-runner in the career opportunities that appeal to veterans. The trucking industry also stands in complete agreement with this opinion, as exhibited in the commitment made by the American Trucking Association back in 2021 to hire 100,000 veterans because of their acquired skills and discipline. If you’re a veteran considering different career options, the trucking industry might help you in easing back to civilian life!
Seamless Skill Transfer
There are various skills veterans possess that are required by truckers. The years of experience in operating heavy military equipment can be of great help as it would be easier for you to handle a large truck. Here are some easy-to-transfer skills that veterans can leverage to kickstart their career in trucking.
Discipline
Discipline is a prerequisite for trucking success. Even tried and tested drivers can sometimes get frustrated when delivering freight at longer distances. However, spending days without meeting your family and friends while taking short breaks during the trip to deliver the freight on time would be just another regular day at the job for a veteran who already has remarkable discipline engraved in him/her through years of drilling. Further, truckers often struggle to schedule and manage their entire day during deliveries and pick up, resulting in poor work-life balance. Discipline helps a driver to exercise, sleep, and interact with acquaintances during their free time.
Safety First Approach
There is a wide array of factors that can lead to truck accidents on the road. Fatigue, lack of sleep, using a phone while driving, dangerous driving at night, etc., can all lead to severe injuries and even death to any person. Veterans know the value of safety, be it of ammunition, weapons, or comrades. The safety-first approach would help them to assume the responsibilities of a truck driver better, helping in the reduction of trucking accidents.
Adaptability and Flexibility
Veterans are experts when it comes to understanding a mission, the tools and technologies used, and the plan of action. Trucking adventures on the road would also require you to use vehicles with complicated functionalities, follow difficult routes, and learn how to load different types of freight. Veterans would be better equipped to understand and implement any change of plans in between a delivery thanks to their sheer determination.
New Community, Old Lifestyle
Many veteran-turned-drivers find many similarities between the lifestyle of truckers and military personnel. You would be using various skills learned in the military including teamwork, leadership, commitment, and integrity when you become a truck driver. Fellow truckers will give you a sense of community as drivers remain close to each other, understanding the sacrifices required for this line of work while sharing the traits of dedication, hard work, discipline, and a mission-oriented mindset!
