GRAIN VALLEY, Mo. (RFD NEWS) — Military veterans have long found career opportunities in agriculture, and the trucking industry is becoming another natural fit for American Heroes transitioning to civilian life.
A new federal initiative is now working to make that transition into commercial trucking faster and easier.
Lewie Pugh with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report to discuss the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Freedom Haulers initiative, which is designed to help veterans with military truck-driving experience move into civilian trucking careers.
In his interview with RFD News, Pugh said nearly 40 percent of OOIDA’s membership has served in the U.S. military, highlighting the strong connection between military service and the trucking industry.
Pugh is a veteran himself and served as a truck driver in the U.S. Army. He said the skills and independence developed through military service can make trucking a natural career transition.
“In the military, you’re taught to think on your own,” Pugh said. “You don’t really want to punch the clock every day.”
He also sees a close connection between trucking, agriculture and military service, with all three requiring workers to operate independently and take responsibility for their equipment and work.
Making the Transition Easier
Pugh said the Freedom Haulers initiative could eliminate some unnecessary barriers for veterans who already have experience operating military vehicles.
Under the initiative, veterans who have been trained as military truck drivers could potentially transition into civilian trucking without having to repeat portions of the commercial driver’s license testing process, including the skills test.
Pugh said many states are also working to waive the written portion of the CDL process for qualified military drivers.
“When I was in the military, I took all that stuff when you get your CDL in the military,” Pugh said. “Why have to have these people do this twice?”
While military truck-driving experience provides a strong foundation, Pugh cautioned that veterans still need training on the differences between military and civilian trucking.
He said carriers need to make sure new drivers understand requirements involving fueling, routing, loading, vehicle weights and civilian trucking regulations.
Pugh Attends White House Launch
Pugh attended the White House event announcing the Freedom Haulers Initiative and described the experience as an opportunity to see veterans and trucking industry representatives come together around the program.
He said the event included veterans from across the trucking industry and gave him an opportunity to speak with administration officials.
“It was a very cool experience,” Pugh said.
Addressing Trucking’s Retention Challenge
Pugh said the initiative could also help address one of the industry’s biggest challenges: keeping qualified drivers behind the wheel.
He argued that the industry has less of a driver shortage than it does a retention problem, with many new drivers leaving within their first year or year and a half.
Pugh said the industry needs to make sure veterans entering trucking are supported and that employers address issues including parking, compensation and training.
“We need to embrace this,” Pugh said. “Let’s make sure that we’re taking care of them.”
Pugh believes veterans bring valuable experience and a strong sense of responsibility to the industry, making them an important potential source of qualified drivers.
He also argued that investing in people with military experience can provide a valuable alternative to relying solely on emerging autonomous trucking technologies.
“We’re bringing these heroes into our industry,” Pugh said. “Why not invest in people who already took the oath to protect America and put them behind the wheel?”
Pugh said the Freedom Haulers initiative could benefit both veterans seeking their next career and an industry looking for experienced, highly trained drivers.
LEARN MORE: www.freedomhaulers.dot.gov
