Wanted: Road Warriors
With a growing shortage of truckers, companies count on the military to supply safe, health drivers.
By Kathleen Ganster

Terrance “Terry” Reese got to see the world while he served as a firefighter in the U.S. Navy. But when he left the military in 2004, Reese wanted to see his own country. So after a brief career as a civilian firefighter, he became a truck driver.

“I talked to a truck driver and I realized the potential,” said Reese, 28, who now lives in Chicago and drives for Schneider National Inc. “And I really wanted to see the country.”

Hundreds of Thousands Needed
The potential has never been better for transitioning military. A new federal enforcement program, coupled with an aging work force and increasing efforts to weed out unhealthy drivers (and therefore unsafe drivers),

already has created a shortage of more than 200,000 drivers. Nearly half a million more drivers could disappear from the industry over the next several years.

“These are estimates I’m hearing that we’re already short a quarter million drivers and they estimate these new laws are going to weed out another 400,000,” said David Lang, who owns a Mode Transportation logistics agency in suburban Pittsburgh.

Lang has 28 years of experience connecting shippers with freight carriers.

He said there’s never been a better time for veterans to get into trucking industry.

“More or less what the government has done is they’re getting tougher on truck drivers and trucking companies to try to make the roads safer for the public,” Lang said.

The Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program is designed to reduce the number of crashes involving trucks and buses on America’s highways. Launched in December 2010, the CSA allows the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to identify drivers and carriers with safety issues by assigning points every time a driver gets a violation. The carrier that employs the driver also gets points, holding both the companies and drivers accountable for safety.

“I do feel it will take some drivers out of the equation for sure,” said William O’Brien, safety director for Dandy Service Corporation, a small company with 84 trucks operating out of Pittsburgh. “I feel that definitely is going to create a bigger shortage of drivers.”

Enter Veterans
So where can trucking companies find healthy, drug-free drivers who are used to being away from home? In the military, O’Brien said.

“I do think it would be a good fit, because as we start to scale back in these wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and they start to bring all these troops home you have to find something for them to do work-wise,” O’Brien said. “So it almost seems like it would be a natural fit to try to entice them into a position that they could definitely earn a good living and be somewhat used to some of its requirements.”

Mike Hinz, vice president of driver recruiting for Schneider National, agrees. An Army veteran himself, Hinz recruits fellow veterans to fill trucking positions in almost every major city across the country. “Veterans are hard-working, self-motivated employees who have the skills that are important to us – they can manage their own routes and trucks without someone standing over them like a lion tamer,” he said.

Drivers can work alone or as part of a team. Starting salaries range from $38,000 to $45,000 a year for truckers, depending on location, routes and materials hauled, Hinz said. The average salary for a long-haul truck driver in the U.S. is $53,000.

Hinz said Schneider National will work with military personnel while they are still serving, helping transitioners use the GI Bill to line up the proper education so they are on the road as soon as possible. “They can have a job before they leave the military,” he said.

Flex Your Career
As a truck driver for Schneider National, Navy veteran Terry Reese did get to see the country, even taking his wife with him on some trips. But when she got pregnant, Reese wanted to be closer to home. “I became a local driver,” he said. “My career has changed with my needs.”

That’s one of the advantages of the trucking industry, Hinz said. “There are a lot of opportunities for growth and career progression, including moving to an area better suited for your life as it changes,” he said.

Hinz knows of many drivers like Reese who after a few years on the road found they wanted to be closer to home and their families. “That is one of the great things about being a driver – there are both long distance over-the-road and local delivery routes, and we need people in them both,” he said.

More Than Just Drivers
Bob Costello, chief economist with the American Trucking Association (ATA), agrees the need for truck drivers will continue to grow rapidly. But other employees will be needed as well, including mechanics and recruiters.

“One of the biggest gains in the trucking industry is in the recruitment departments,” Costello said. “We will desperately need more recruiters both in hiring truckers, but for other positions.” Other areas with projected growth include IT positions and security personnel.

Schneider National spokeswoman Janet Bonkowski said jobs available at the company include positions in IT, human resources, communications, customer service, marketing and business services. Salaries vary according to the position, education required, applicant’s experience and location of the job.

Military Skills = College Degree
J.B. Hunt Transport officials are well aware of the advantage of hiring military. “We don’t limit our selection to commissioned officers or enlisted personnel with high-tech experience,” said

David Martin, senior human resources manager. “We want strong leadership skills, an entrepreneurial attitude and a proven level of responsibility, and consider these as equivalent to a college degree, opening doors for veterans who might have to start at a lower position elsewhere.” There are more than 400 J.B. Hunt locations in the U.S., with the greatest needs in large metropolitan areas.

J.B. Hunt is hiring for the manager trainee program (MTP), operation fleet management, mechanics and drivers. Salaries depend on the veteran’s experience and the job location, but MTP starting salaries range from $42,000 to $45,000, according to Martin. “For the MTP, the minimum requirement is E-5 pay grade or any veteran who’s obtained a four-year college degree,” Martin said.

Military Experience Helps Supervisor
Christopher Tomlin, an operations supervisor, appreciates J.B. Hunt because the carrier appreciates his Army experience. “They support the military in so many ways,” he said. “The trucking industry is so wide with so many opportunities, but I wanted a company that respected my military background.”

Tomlin credits his military experience with providing him the ability to be a good leader and handle any high-pressure situations involved with supervising drivers and routes. “Veterans also take pride in the work and readily accept responsibility,” he said.

As an information systems security administrator, Rick Doyle, also an Army veteran, knows that his security background was helpful. He also used his GI Bill benefits to obtain both an associate and a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems. “My secret clearance and experience handling valuable information is extremely useful, of course, but so were my leadership skills and ability to work with people from a variety of backgrounds,” he said.

Like Tomlin, Doyle feels the trucking industry is a viable work arena. “There is always the need for strong transportations systems and there will be the need for good people looking for a growing future.”

Werner Values Veterans
Bob Synowicki Jr., executive vice president of Werner Enterprises, said his company, too, offers plenty of opportunities to America’s veterans. “We see a great need for professional drivers and that need is only going to grow,” he said.

Entry-level drivers start at $40,000 to $45,000 per year. “That depends on their location and routes,” he said, “but that is an average.” Synowicki said there are also opportunities for mechanics, fleet managers and logistics associates, recruiting personnel and office positions. While many of the positions are located at Werner headquarters in Omaha, Neb., Synowicki said there are also opportunities in full-service terminals in cities such as Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver and Atlanta.

“We like hiring veterans for any of these positions because of their values and skill sets,” he said. “They are very valuable employees.” Werner Enterprises will work with military personnel prior to separation so they can immediately enter GI Bill-approved schooling or the company’s own apprentice program after separation. “We are one of the few trucking companies that offer an apprenticeship program which is approved by the VA and the Department of Labor where veterans can earn up to $11,000 tax free in their first year of employment,” Synowicki said.

Nukes to Trucks
Bryan Shirley, an Army veteran, has been a truck driver with Werner for 27 years. When he separated from the service, Shirley thought about remaining in the nuclear field – the work he had done in the military. But he liked the idea of the autonomy truck driving provided. Besides, it was what he had dreamed about for years. “Ever since I was a little kid, I watched big trucks and wanted to drive one. I guess it was always in my blood,” he said.

In addition to autonomy, Shirley likes the challenges of driving a truck – organizing his routes, hauling various materials and even driving in winter weather. “The military gives you the confidence to do this job, it shows you that you have the ability to handle it,” he said.

GI Bill Shifts Into High Gear
Uncle Sam will pay for veterans to train as truck drivers.

Recent amendments to the Post-9/11

GI Bill make trucking an even more attractive employment prospect for veterans. Beginning in October, vocational training for a truck driving career will be covered by the newest version of the GI Bill.

Until December the Post-9/11 GI Bill excluded vocational training such as truck driving schools unless it was offered by a degree-granting institution. The amended bill removes limitations for veterans on non-degree granting programs, including certification courses, vocational-technical training, apprenticeships and on-the-job training programs.

“They may also be eligible for a certain amount for a housing allowance as well,” said Andrew McLoughlin, regional manager for National Training Inc., which has a truck driving school.

The National Training Inc. driving program is a 50-percent online and 50-percent residency program, so military personnel can actually start the program using tuition assistance prior to separation, then finish the residency segment of the program while using benefits from the GI Bill. “And depending on the program, some trucking companies such as Werner will pay for an apprenticeship program on top of their regular salary through the GI Bill benefits,” McLoughlin said.

It’s easy to take advantage of the new benefits, according to McLoughlin. “I have heard about 75 percent of vets never touch the benefits provided by the GI Bill. They should take advantage of these – they just need to ask for assistance,” he said.

Playing It Safe
Trucking companies need healthy drivers, and veterans fit the bill.
By Kathleen Ganster

In December 2010, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) launched the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program designed to improve large truck safety. The nationwide program allows the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to more easily identify carriers and truck drivers with safety issues.

The CSA holds both carriers and drivers accountable for safety by assigning points

for violations. Each time a driver gets a violation, both he and the carrier he works for earn points. If a driver accumulates too many points, he will find it difficult to find work. If a carrier’s score escalates, the DOT can intervene.

“I’ve already known of a couple of companies that have gone out of business because their score was so high,” said David Lang, who owns a Mode Transportation logistics agency in Pittsburgh. “They had to close the doors because other companies have visibility of that. Your shipping world is actually watching that very closely and making sure that their carriers are in compliance.”

Carriers increasingly cannot afford to take risks with drivers who have previous traffic violations, drug or alcohol abuse issues or potential health problems.

David Martin, senior human resource manager at J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., said such standards make veterans attractive prospects for driving positions. “Because of the physical fitness requirements while serving, veterans tend to have fewer impairing medical conditions and those that have medical conditions have medical services available to them to assist in correcting or remediating the condition,” he said. “These attributes make it more likely that a veteran will meet the regulations than the general population.”

Bob Synowicki Jr., executive vice president of Werner Enterprises, agreed. “Veterans are generally in better physical shape and are therefore a great fit to become a professional truck driver.”

Increased technology also allows trucking companies to better check prospective employees’ previous employment records and other important factors, Martin said. “The Preemployment Screening Program (PSP) allows carriers to see a prospective driver’s roadside inspection and employment history, thus allowing the carrier to make a more informed hiring decision,” he said. Drivers who do not follow the rules will find it more difficult to get a job at reputable companies, according to Martin.

How many jobs the new program opens remains to be seen, Synowicki said. “The new CSA program will reduce the number of truck drivers, however, it is difficult to predict the number – most estimates are between 3 percent and 10 percent.”

Schneider National Inc.
HQ: Green Bay, Wisc.
Employees: 18,650
Veteran Employees: About 25%
2010 Revenues: $3.1 billion
www.schneider.com
www.schneiderjobs.com
www.schneiderjobs.com/Owner-Operators/Military/index.htm

Jobs

• Long haul drivers
• Local drivers
• Mechanics
• Recruiters
• IT specialists
• Security personnel
• Human resources professionals
• Communications professionals
• Marketing professionals
• Business services professionals
  

Pay
Starting salaries range from $38,000 to $45,000 a year for truck drivers, depending on location, routes and materials hauled. Salaries for other jobs vary according to the position, education required, applicant’s experience and location of the job.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc.
HQ: Lowell, Ariz.
Employees: 15,067
Veteran employees: 15%
2010 Revenues: $3.7 billion
www.jbhunt.com 
www.jbhunt.com/jobs 
www.jbhunt.com/jobs/office/military 

Jobs
J.B. Hunt has career opportunities for:

• Operation Fleet Management (MTP) trainees. Minimum requirement: E-5 or college degree.
• Mechanics
• Drivers
  

Pay
Salaries range depending on the veteran’s experience and the job location. MTP starting salary is $42,000 to $45,000.

Werner Enterprises
HQ: Omaha, Neb.
Employees: 12,000
Veteran Employees: Approximately 20%
2010 Revenues: $1.8 billion
www.werner.com 
www.werner.com/content/employment 

Jobs
Werner Enterprises has opportunities for:

• Mechanics
• Drivers
• Fleet managers
• Logistics associates
• Recruiting personnel
• Office personnel
  

Pay
Entry-level drivers start at $40,000 to $45,000 per year, depending the job location and route.