What comes next after military life? Like many veterans, Justin Green wasn’t sure what the future held for his career. He drove a fighting vehicle for the U.S. Army for several years and was stationed in Fort Hood in Texas and later Vilseck, Germany.
“I spent about 10 years after the Army doing all sorts of jobs, but nothing seemed like the right fit,” he says. “I got tired of bouncing around from job to job and not having anything steady.”
The one thing that was consistent was seeing trucking job advertisements in the paper. When Justin felt ready to settle into a more permanent career, he was reminded that truck driving could be a steady and rewarding career option. He was already comfortable being in a large vehicle, thanks to his military training, and he had the strong work ethic to learn new skills. His VA benefits paid for driving school, which helped Justin get his new career off to a great start.
“Carter sent a rep to my school and it seemed like it would be a good fit,” explains Justin. “It was close to home, family oriented and they had good equipment and flexible options.”
His experience at Carter hasn’t disappointed. He says he receives a lot of respect and recognition at Carter for being a veteran.
“I know a lot of military guys are like me. With truck driving, just like when you’re in the service, you’re kind of your own boss,” he says. “You get your truck and your freight and you’re free to go where you’re going. There’s a lot of flexibility and freedom that would appeal to a lot of people. This is the last thing I thought I’d be doing, but it turns out it’s a perfect fit for me.” ‘
At Carter, we have a unique CDL training program to help drivers like Justin go through certified driving schools while helping them with their tuition costs. Once our trainees have earned their CDL, they go through our 6-week paid training program to ensure they have a strong foundation for a successful career. For veterans, this means they can embark on their new driving career in no time at all.
Justin says that a truck driving career is hard work but can be extremely rewarding. He advises other veterans to make sure their families are willing to make the commitment to the job, too.
“Going from one career to another, this is a big change,” he says. “It’s worth it, but you need to make sure everyone is on board.”
When Justin is not on the road, he is usually with his wife and three children at their home in Muncie, Ind.
Are you a military veteran thinking about becoming a truck driver? Contact us today to learn more about how we can help get you started on a rewarding new career.
