If you were recently discharged from active duty and wondering what you can do with your Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), it’s time to start looking for jobs after the military. Even if you have yet to say good-bye to military life, you can plan ahead by pinpointing the industry you wish to join when the time comes.
Some of the best jobs after the military are truck-driving opportunities. Many of the skills that helped you succeed in the military can help you transition to a career in the transportation industry. Here’s a look at three skills that translate seamlessly into trucking jobs after the military.
- Good work ethic: Military personnel are used to running on a tight schedule which translates well to the trucking industry where being on time is very important. At Prime, we value on-time service through our Prime Time Certified program (PTC). The PTC award program recognizes driver associates who achieve continuous outstanding on-time performance throughout the year (quarterly, semi-annually, and annually). Awards include patches, belt buckles, shirts and sweaters. At the two-year level, associates receive a gold ring with one diamond. With every additional year of continuous on-time service, a diamond is added to the ring.
- Discipline: In an industry where a carrier’s CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) scores are based on driver safety, it’s imperative for companies to hire disciplined drivers that take their job seriously. There’s no better way to prove how regimented you are than having an honorable discharge from military service on your résumé. Prime considers safety to be our highest calling. We rely on our drivers to keep themselves, their freight and equipment, and the motoring public safe as they transport loads across the country.
- Driving experience: Were you a Motor Transport Operator in the military? If so, Prime accepts DA Form 348, and all you will need to do is obtain your Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).You’ll be ahead of other new drivers because of your hands-on experience driving large vehicles. Prime also welcomes military veterans with no prior driving experience to join the Prime Student Driving program to help them get their CDL.
Thanks to the Military Commercial Driver’s License Act of 2012, you can obtain your CDL while still on active duty even if you’re stationed somewhere other than your home state. By getting ahead of the game, you’ll be that much closer to landing one of the various truck driving jobs after the military. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) points out that 43 states offer a military skills test waiver if you can show documentation of at least two years of driving experience while in the armed forces.
Prime is the perfect place to use your skills you have obtained in the military and transform them into a successful and rewarding career. Here at Prime, Veterans are an important piece to the puzzle. We have programs to help you earn a college degree while you are on the road through our Prime Success Scholars program in partnership with Bethel University.We honor our Veterans by annually participating in the Wreaths Across America program, recognizing our Veterans at our weekly Friday Morning Meetings at our Missouri and Pennsylvania terminals, and partnering with our local VFW chapter for our onsite Veterans Day service at our headquarters in Missouri. We appreciate and value the sacrifice of the men and women who have served this great country.
Getting started with jobs after the military doesn’t need to be a challenge. You simply need to plan ahead and know where to look. For more information on finding jobs after the military with Prime Inc., visit our website and connect with us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
