Leaving the military is hard. USA Truck just made the landing a little softer.
The Van Buren, Arkansas-based carrier, ranked No. 76 on Transport Topics’ list of the largest for-hire carriers in North America, launched a formal Military Apprenticeship Program on June 16 aimed squarely at service members transitioning to civilian life. The two-year program, developed in partnership with workforce development organization Fastport, creates structured pathways into professional driving and diesel technician roles.
Here’s the part that gets attention: participants don’t have to choose between their military life and their new career during that transition.
Eligible participants can continue receiving their military housing allowance, typically around $1,600 per month, while simultaneously drawing a paycheck from USA Truck. For a service member with a family trying to navigate the gap between military and civilian employment, that dual income structure isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s a lifeline.
Veterans bring “invaluable leadership, discipline and technical expertise” to the industry.
“We are incredibly proud to launch this program and offer a meaningful bridge from military service to a thriving career in transportation,” said CEO George Henry. Veterans bring “invaluable leadership, discipline and technical expertise” to the industry. Anyone who’s spent time around a military motor pool knows that a service member who’s been maintaining heavy equipment in austere conditions can walk into a diesel shop and hold their own from day one.
USA Truck has been serious about this space for a long time. They have four Pro Patria Awards from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, plus the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award in 2025. This apprenticeship is the next step in building something sustainable.
Alabama has one of the highest concentrations of active-duty military, veterans, and Guard members in the South. Communities across the state are full of men and women who’ve given years of service and are now looking for what comes next. Alabama’s trucking industry should be inspired by what USA Truck is doing here. These are exactly the professionals this industry needs.
