The Importance of Working Veterans in the Trucking Industry

Veteran employment and military-to-civilian career transitions are an ongoing challenge that demands attention in our country. Luckily, the trucking industry plays a large role in ensuring our veterans receive suitable careers upon completing their service. Qualities such as commitment, loyalty, discipline, teamwork, and integrity make veterans and military members a perfect fit for the trucking industry after their time in service. The sacrifices made and experience gained by their time served is enough to qualify most veterans for various careers.

Here are 7 of many reasons why you should hire a veteran or transitioning service member:

1. Retentive

Veterans are vastly employable in the trucking industry thanks to their successful experiences in multifaceted military operations. Quickly adapting to new and unfamiliar tasks and developing an accelerated learning curve aids veterans in a smooth transition into trucking. Things such as complex loads, safety procedures, and dealing with unforeseen complications/obstacles are highly achievable thanks to the skills obtained by veterans through their service.

2. Leadership

In trucking, situations may not always be optimal; however, we can always count on our veterans to overcome obstacles with stellar leadership abilities. In trying circumstances, veterans have the unique ability to manage one’s own behaviors and influence others’ positively. In the trucking industry, this is a unique quality that benefits not only the fleet itself, but the industry overall.

3. Teamwork

Veterans often find great success within their CDL trucking career thanks to their advanced teamwork abilities. In an industry that can become quite individualized, a team-oriented mindset makes all the difference when it comes to defining success in trucking. Possessing such a difficult skill to obtain and practice, veterans are highly sought after by trucking companies.

4. Diversity and Inclusion in Action

As with any occupation in life, especially in trucking, it is vital to work alongside individuals of a different race, gender, geographic origin, ethnic background, religion, and economic status as well as mental, physical, and attitudinal capabilities. Veterans’ experience in working with a diverse group of colleagues enables them to get the job done without the concern of diversity and inclusion related issues. The trucking industry is proud to employ individuals with such attitudes.

5. Efficient Performance Under Pressure

Truck drivers often face challenging situations such as inadequate timelines, lack of resources, and many other unexpected obstacles. Thanks to their experience and exposure, veterans tend to perform and react best in high-stress situations. Performing efficiently and strategically under pressure makes a world of a difference when dealing with difficult situations. Regardless of the circumstances, it can be assured that most veterans will handle any situation confidently and with caution.

6. Respect for Procedures, Safety Standards, and Health

Veterans are some of the industry’s finest when it comes to ensuring that protocols are followed correctly, their health is maintained, and prioritizing safety when on the job. These issues are often the top contributors to negative statements about the trucking industry. However, thanks to veteran drivers, carriers can have a peace of mind knowing the job will be done correctly, efficiently, and above all, safely.

7. Loyalty and Integrity

In the trucking industry, more than others, it is critical to have a workforce willing to put in a hard day’s work. Building a sense of trust and sincerity with drivers is crucial in trucking, and with veterans, is often easier to achieve. In an industry where driver retention is an ongoing issue, veterans’ great loyalty to their work and employers makes them highly sought after.

With over 30% of employees that have served in the Military, Melton is proud to be recognized as a Military Friendly® employer who is committed to creating great career opportunities and benefits for servicemen and women. Melton honors America’s veterans and transitioning military service members by offering a pre-hire evaluation program, VA apprenticeships, veteran resources, and so much more!

Veterans are a great asset to any business – It’s important that we offer benefits and initiatives that help set them up with a successful career path. To learn more about Melton’s apprenticeships and training programs, check out our Military page.