Military experience acceptable?

You'll still be considered a rookie, for all intents. But you'll have access to a larger pool of companies. Many are actively seeking prior military, experience with heavy equipment or not.

 

Most companies do not consider military driving as experience. They don't look at the equipment, they look at what you do. Most think you drive on base or in a convoy so it doesn't qualify as OTR driving. When I got out I did use my military experience because I was driving OTR hauling heavy equipment all over the states. But what I did was very rare and I was in a R&D situation. Plus I had the log books to show it wasn't on base and I was out there by myself. However, alot of companies like military people because they know you know how to handle discipline.

So on your application list all the trucks you drove in the service and try to stay away from military designations. Don't use M numbers and try to compare the truck to what they know.

 

Where are you stationed at USMC91?

I am out here in 29 palms and I can tell you they dont take military experience as civilian CDL experience. If your in 29 or in Pendleton look into troops for truckers and they will train you using your tuitions assitance so you never pay a penny out of pocket and they get you your Class A with hazmat, doubles triples, tanker and air brakes.

I have a year and a half of prior commercial driving before I came in and have had a Class A for 5 years now but when I get out I am still having to go through training and everything at the comapny I chose. Look into the here
http://www.troops2truckers.com/

 

Yep do exactly what this fella suggested. Troops to Truckers is an outstanding program and from what I understand they just began the program aboard 29. Go to your Education center for more information or the quoted website and fill out the application. I completed this program and was in no way disapointed. Good luck Marine.

 

I start it today at 1730!

 

Good stuff, have fun man. So your EAS'n to be a big truck driver again eh? Good luck to ya! Who you plan on driving for?

 

I'm going with TMC for about a year maybe a little bit more until I have the money for my own truck and then I am going to go with Landstar.

Who do you drive for?

 

Still employed by the Corps. Will be going with maverick or one of my dads buddies out of central TX hauling cattle and yanking a van when needed. Still saving that money to buy a shiney new pete so I can also live the landstar dream..Hehe J/K take care man and best of luck to you.

 

When it comes to the mega carriers..yes, pretty much. Smaller ones might see you as an asset because of the military background has discipline written all over it.

As far as the five years, you can move into a more specialized area of trucking once you have that many years in. There are plenty of regional carriers that would love to have you.

It is just getting the first few years in. I have a tough time getting an OTR gig because my OTR was so many years ago! Can I help it if I am an old man? Who knows what they want? They don't.