The U.S. Department of Transportation has launched an interagency effort to attract military veterans to pursue careers in trucking. The new initiative, Freedom Haulers, is a hiring campaign that educates veterans on how to maximize their training and experience in the trucking industry. According to the DOT, veterans’ backgrounds make them a great fit for the job, and the new program can connect them with resources to seamlessly transition from service to driving a big rig.
“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we are removing more and more dangerous foreign drivers off our roads every day and restoring the integrity of America’s trucking industry.” – Sean Duffy
The Freedom Haulers campaign includes contributions from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of War, and the Department of Labor. The initiative builds on the Trump Administration’s efforts to clean up America’s roadways, crack down on illegal and dangerous drivers, and support American workers.
The campaign will crossover to various media platforms, including a new viral digital ad, radio spots, and a new microsite cataloging all the federal resources and private sector partners that can help service members secure good-paying trucking jobs.
“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we are removing more and more dangerous foreign drivers off our roads every day and restoring the integrity of America’s trucking industry,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “Our new Freedom Haulers campaign will help build on these successes and get the word out that there’s never been a better time for America’s former service members to get behind the wheel of a big rig. Trucking requires the precision, independence, and discipline that they forged in the military—there’s no one better to tackle the challenge. By answering the call, veterans can leverage their GI Bill benefits and take on a new, essential mission: keep America moving.”
The initiative is being heralded as “another victory for common sense” in trucking hiring and regulation. “Instead of putting dangerous illegal immigrants on the road, we should be putting trust in our Veterans who have the discipline, determination and work ethic to succeed in this rewarding career path,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “VA already helps thousands of Veterans make this transition every year, and we stand ready to help thousands more.”
Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling added, “The qualities that America’s veterans have honed during their time in uniform directly translate to the Administration’s efforts to make our roads safer and to help move critical goods across the country. I look forward to working with Secretary Duffy and Secretary Collins on the Freedom Haulers campaign to find those men and women who are looking to pursue a career in trucking.”
Additional Information:
The Freedom Haulers campaign outlines the reasons to join the trucking industry, including:
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The skills learned in uniform translate to the driver’s seat. Veterans have the expertise, integrity, and discipline to keep America moving.
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There has never been a better time to get behind the wheel. Thanks to the Trump Administration’s crackdown on fraud and illegal truckers, hourly earnings are on the rise.
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You enter the workforce making real money on day one. Truckers can choose your own hours, your own schedule, and the companies you work with.
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It is a fulfilling, mission-first career. Truckers keep our farmers in business, our store shelves stocked and our gas stations supplied.
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Your training is 100% VA funded. The VA’s tuition cap typically covers 100% of CDL training costs at colleges and technical schools for Veterans who served for at least 36 months.
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You get fast-tracked entry. Veterans with heavy vehicle military experience can apply for FMCSA’s waivers to skip redundant road tests–getting you licensed and on the road in just a few weeks.
