The Trucking Industry's Commitment to Supporting Veterans Post-Service

The trucking industry plays a vital role in the backbone of the American economy, and its commitment to supporting veterans transitioning to civilian life has become increasingly significant. As thousands of servicemen and women return home each year, the challenges they face in reintegrating into society can be daunting. Recognizing the unique skills and experiences that veterans bring, many trucking companies have stepped up to create programs tailored to their needs. These initiatives not only facilitate a smoother transition into the workforce but also honor the dedication and sacrifice of those who have served. From specialized training programs that leverage military experience to partnerships with veteran organizations, the trucking industry is forging pathways that empower veterans to thrive in their post-service careers. This article delves into the various ways trucking companies are championing veteran support, highlighting success stories and innovative practices that demonstrate a profound commitment to this deserving community. By focusing on the intersection of service and opportunity, the industry not only enhances its workforce but also strengthens the broader societal fabric, fostering a culture of respect and gratitude for those who have donned the uniform.

Drivers and executives work with nonprofit groups to help vets transition to civilian life

Numerous veterans have embarked on careers in the trucking sector following their military service. While the transition to civilian life can often pose challenges, many have discovered a path to healing by dedicating themselves to uplifting their fellow veterans. Below, we share three compelling narratives of veterans and business leaders who have played pivotal roles in helping former service members secure employment and have established nonprofit organizations to support them.

A New Beginning at Melton

After a distinguished 24-year career in the Air Force, Gus Corona faced a significant life shift upon his return to Texas. The anticipated changes included reacclimating to civilian life, but he also faced unforeseen circumstances, including a divorce after 18 years of marriage and estrangement from his children.

Each veteran's journey from military to civilian life is unique, ranging from relatively smooth transitions to profoundly challenging experiences. Some carry physical injuries, while others grapple with psychological scars. For Corona, the post-service phase was undeniably tumultuous.

“It was a really difficult time for me,” he shared during a virtual interview with FreightWaves. “I left the military and found myself in a dark place. I was accustomed to a structured environment, and suddenly transitioning to civilian life felt like starting from scratch.”

As he wrestled with his inner struggles, Corona gradually found hope through various job opportunities. His experience as a gym trainer mirrored elements of military life, characterized by physical training and a boot camp ethos. He also worked as a chef, which demanded discipline, cleanliness, and adherence to protocols.

Ultimately, he joined Melton Truck Lines while pursuing his Commercial Driver's License (CDL). Within a year of driving for the Oklahoma-based company, he was elevated to the role of trainer for new drivers. “Training comes naturally to me, given my background in the Air Force,” Corona remarked. “I genuinely enjoy teaching, and I’ve been fulfilling this role for the past three years.”

David Harper, a Marine Corps veteran and supervisor overseeing Melton's military hiring initiatives, emphasized Corona's influence within the organization.

“He serves not only as a trainer but also as a mentor to many,” Harper noted. “He drives one of our veteran-themed trucks and maintains a strong presence in our driver community, actively engaging with them through our operations page on Facebook.”

Together, Corona and Harper are committed to raising awareness about veteran suicide and supporting first responders through their initiatives at Melton. “I’ve lost two individuals I supervised to suicide,” Corona revealed. “Mental health support is an area where I strive to make a positive impact.” Harper added, “Many veterans face similar challenges. The military environment fosters a unique camaraderie and support structure that can be lost upon transitioning to civilian life, leading to identity and purpose struggles.”

Both men aspire to be a supportive presence, or “battle buddy,” for those navigating the shift from military to civilian life. “We collaborate with various veteran organizations nationwide,” Harper explained. “Given our extensive veteran community, we prioritize building relationships and ensuring resources are accessible.”

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and transportation industry, over 8.2% of employed veterans were engaged in the transportation and utilities sectors in 2023. In an industry marked by high turnover rates, Melton reported a significantly lower turnover rate of 48% for veterans in the second quarter, a testament to the supportive culture instilled by the company.

Gus was honored with the “Highway Angel” award from the American Truckload Carriers Association two summers ago for his heroic act of rescuing a fellow driver after a serious accident. The individual who once questioned his own purpose had, in turn, saved another's life. Training veterans via trucking schools to become professional drivers and veteran drivers can address shortage of drivers. They have in depth mechanical skills being part of the armed forces and they have the sense of camaraderie, strong work ethic so they will have a seamless transition from military into pursuing careers in trucking.

Supporting Veterans and the Veteran Ready Summit

Fastport was established with the mission of assisting military veterans and their spouses in finding fulfilling civilian careers. The company's focus has since expanded to encompass broader workforce development efforts.

“A significant part of our growth stemmed from our collaboration with Hiring Our Heroes,” explained Brad Bentley, Fastport’s president and former head of the Truckload Carriers Association. “We created a resume engine for them that translates military occupational specialties into civilian vernacular.”

Hiring Our Heroes is a nonprofit initiative led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, aimed at connecting veterans with civilian job opportunities. In 2016, Fastport secured its first contract with the U.S. Department of Labor, becoming the department's industry intermediary for the transportation, distribution, and logistics sectors.

“Our success in the Department of Labor bid can be largely attributed to the expertise of our team members,” Bentley noted. “Our founder, Jim Ray, had a background in the trucking industry, having operated several fleets and logistics businesses before launching Fastport. Our CEO, Will McLennan, a Marine Corps veteran himself, also possesses extensive experience in the supply chain sector.”

Bentley highlighted how this leadership team was ideally positioned to address the longstanding challenges of veteran employment. During a time when high unemployment rates resulted in significant financial burdens for the Department of Defense due to unemployment benefits, corporate America was called upon to enhance military hiring initiatives.

“Fastport has been actively contributing to this effort for nearly a decade,” Bentley stated.

Career in Trucking and Unwavering Commitment of Eligible Veterans

The Transition Trucking Driving for Excellence Award was established shortly after Bentley took the helm at Fastport in 2015. Now in its ninth year, the award ceremony recognizes the contributions of veterans, employers, and CDL training institutions in enhancing the safety and well-being of the 3.5 million professional truck drivers on the road today.

Each year, finalists are invited to a conference held at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C., where the grand prize is a brand new truck from Kenworth Truck Company.

"Rather than merely offering a cash award, we sought to understand what could truly transform the life of a veteran entering our industry," Bentley explained. "Many veterans aspire to become business owners and pursue entrepreneurial ventures, so we reached out to Kenworth. They recognized the significance of our initiative, and for the ninth consecutive year, they have generously donated a T680 truck."

The presentation of the truck keys takes place annually in mid-December, coinciding with the day before Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery. During this time, Fastport also initiated a signing event for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve at the Pentagon.

As the demand for hiring veterans increased, Bentley observed a growing interest from smaller companies eager to participate but unable to compete with larger firms.

"The trucking industry has always had a strong sense of patriotism," Bentley noted. "They genuinely want to employ veterans, but they may lack the knowledge on how to do so effectively. Hence, we aimed to establish a framework that would enable companies to become 'veteran-ready,' which led to the conception of the Veteran Ready Summit."

The Veteran Ready Summit is set to take place for the third consecutive year at the American Trucking Associations headquarters in Washington, D.C., from December 11 to 13. Co-sponsors for the summit include TransForce, CDLLife, Veterans In Trucking, and Conversion Interactive Agency.

"This summit provides a unique opportunity for various stakeholders in the industry to come together. It features numerous uplifting narratives: from giving away a truck that could potentially change a life, to showcasing your organization as a military-friendly and veteran-ready employer, all while honoring fallen soldiers by placing wreaths at their graves," Bentley remarked.

Waypoint Vets

Sarah Lee also faced challenges transitioning back to civilian life. From an early age, Lee was driven by the desire to be part of a team, which motivated her to join the Army National Guard at just 17, with her parents’ consent. "It was a wonderful way to step into adulthood," Lee recounted. "Basic training instilled a sense of self-respect that translated into respect for others—building confidence, trusting one’s instincts, and establishing standards for those around you."

Throughout her military career, she served in Panama and Iraq with the 216th Combat Engineers during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004. After her honorable discharge in 2009, Lee embarked on a photography business. "We didn’t return from deployment with everyone," Lee shared. "I lost a close friend during that time. Capturing moments for families became a deep passion of mine, as you never know who you may lose next. One day, all you will have left are the photographs."

However, a neck injury sustained during her service deteriorated, affecting her ability to operate a camera, ultimately forcing her to close her photography business. "My military service was definitely cut short," Lee reflected. "I served for eight years and envisioned a promising career ahead. I had achieved the rank of sergeant and was planning to pursue an officer path. But the physical difficulties from my injury made it hard to maintain the standards my clients deserved. Like in the military, I didn't want to become a liability."

The combination of chronic pain, survivor’s guilt, and a loss of purpose led Lee to a dark place. "In early 2017, I attempted to take my own life but survived," she disclosed. "Following that experience, I purchased a bicycle. I hadn’t ridden since high school, but it was a relief for my neck. There was something about cycling that eased my pain." She continued riding and soon decided to embark on a journey of over 4,000 miles, traveling from Yorktown, Virginia, to San Francisco, with the Golden Gate Bridge as her destination.

During her travels, Lee sketched a preliminary design for what would eventually become the logo of her new venture: Waypoint Vets. "Service saves the heart, simplicity salvages the mind," she wrote beside her sketch. Upon reaching the Golden Gate Bridge, Lee dipped her tires in the Pacific sand. In that moment, she found both solitude and purpose.

"I believe my friends would be proud of me," Lee said. "I honored them through my journey and personal growth, and I felt a renewed sense of purpose to give back and serve once more. That act of service truly saved my life." Three weeks after returning home, Lee successfully registered Waypoint Vets as a nonprofit organization, dedicated to taking veterans on outdoor adventures for healing and camaraderie.

In 2020, Waypoint Vets organized its inaugural trip with eight veterans exploring canyoneering in Utah, hosting nine such trips annually across the country. In November 2023, Waypoint Vets collaborated with Wreaths Across America, Veterans In Trucking, and Fastport to take ten Vietnam War veterans from the transportation sector back to Vietnam.

During this all-expenses-paid trip, the veterans enjoyed a three-day cruise, toured the country, and connected with Vietnamese veterans who also served during the war. "They were sharing meals and laughter together," Lee recounted. "It was truly remarkable."

The journey concluded with a visit to downtown Hanoi on Veterans Day. "Witnessing their interactions and demeanor there was incredibly inspiring," Lee stated. "They genuinely wanted to revisit the country and embraced the culture with open hearts." Wreaths Across America documented the trip in a YouTube video. While Lee remains uncertain about returning to Iraq, she expressed that the visit to Vietnam "instilled hope for our generation to achieve some closure."

In Conclusion

The trucking industry's commitment to supporting veterans post-service is not only commendable but essential for fostering a robust workforce that values the skills and dedication these individuals bring. As companies increasingly recognize the unique experiences and discipline that veterans possess, initiatives such as targeted training programs, hiring incentives, and mentorship opportunities are becoming more prevalent. By investing in the transition and integration of veterans into the trucking sector, the industry stands to benefit from their leadership, resilience, and work ethic. Ultimately, this partnership not only strengthens the trucking workforce but also honors the sacrifices made by those who have served our country, ensuring they have meaningful career opportunities as they embark on their next chapter.

If you want to stay updated with a wide range of trends, actionable insights, and innovative solutions in the trucking, freight, and logistics industry, stay connected to us.

Moreover, If you are looking for more information about drug and alcohol testing as a truck driver, visit LabWorks USA. Our DOT Consortium's friendly team will be more than happy to discuss any concerns you may have and work with you to ensure you are always fully compliant, especially with random DOT drug and alcohol testing. Moreover, if you need help with FMCSA Clearinghouse registration, we can further support you.