Vets or Military Retirees Free CDL School

I just got done talking to Brandi at Central Ref ext 7171. I called about their school. After I told her that the state of AZ would pay me $3000 for a $3200 Community college truck School, she told me she got a e-mail last nite with a new program for Vets.

By presenting a DD-214 or retirement cert or 20year letter(reserves)
that Central would put you thru school for FREE!

2 weeks in Salt Lake, 5 weeks with a trainer($450 a week), then Solo at .28 per mile.

I'm thinking about it! I drove flats for 2 years a decade ago, so I know how to drive a truck, this would put me out on the road making money quicker than my CC and the another company's training program.

 

Eskimo & LB, Brandi, recruiter told me that with the correct Documentation that you would only have to pay for your meals,CDL testing($60), and standard hold for Drug test and background($150). 2-3 week shake and bake, then 5 weeks with a trainer at $450 a week. It is a one year obligation with Central, and I'm sure they are getting something from the Government for creating one of those "millions of Jobs" obama is crowing about.

Eskimo,I'm in Tucson and thinking about it. It maybe a route. I'm also looking at going to Pima CC for their four week program. The Pima county one stop job center will give me $3000 for the Pima CC CDL course which is $3200. That way I can live at my own house and not pay to eat out. That way I am not contracted to a company to do 1-2years with a $3000-$5000 contract hanging over my head. It is a state program but administered by the county job services, they should have the same thing in Maricopa county.

I've talked to some Werner drivers at the TA and Flying J in Eloy, most like it alot more than the Gloom and doom on this site. They are the only starter co that I know of that is approved for Montgomery GI bill. After you go to a truck school, they place you in a Dept of Labor approved apprenticeship. It takes about 60days to get the VA money started but you get $1095/100% a month for the 1st 6 months(retroactive to your start date), 75% for the next 6 months and at a year you get a Dept of Labor Certificate. Your Werner pay is the same as all the other starting drivers. This could be the difference between sticking it out a year and quiting.

I retired from the Army, and took a early retirement from Qwest Communications. I worked as a fuel truck driver in Iraq for ITT(on base fueling Aircraft) last year, paid off my house and have put away a $45K bond at my credit union. I want to get a current CDL with tanker endorcement, get 6 months-1year current driving under my belt at a starter company, then move to Crete Carrier Corp out of PHX yard. They pay .40 a mile at 1year and are probaly the BEST commented Big Company on all the trucker pages.

If the economy picks up I'll use the bond to buy a good 3-4year old Tractor and get into tankers as a O/O, If not I'll get a local job and use the Bond to help my sons out. If you have anything but really bad credit you can buy a nice 4-6 year old tractor for less than $45K and have a total payment less than half of a lease purchase.

Also I drove flatbeds for TMC for 2years after I 1st left the Army. If you can get into Flats with a starter co. do it. They are generally much better treated than Vans or Refers, smaller more specialized, and better paid from the start. When freight id down a flatbed with a headache rack can pull a Van, not the other way around. Goodluck

 

Also the GI bill money for the Werner apprenticeship is all tax free. Go get registered with the VA for health and if you are single you can save the medical insurance too.