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TMC, Schneider, Melton, US Xpress, Werner, Covenant, Maverick, Swift, USA Truck, Roehl, and CFI all have VA approved military apprenticeship programs for eligible veterans. There are other companies I’m leaving out. The benefits from these programs are paid out by the VA, not the company.

You can verify if a company is approved here: https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/onthejob_apprenticeship.asp

I spoke with a recruiter from Jim Palmer earlier this week. He told me as a new driver I would be required to commit to a 1-year contract with them in exchange for the training they provide. If this is fact and not the recruiter being mistaken, Jim Palmer is probably a no-go for me.

Did the recruiter mention anything about a contract to you?

This thread was originally about Jim Palmer and my original post was just passing on what their recruiter told me, and asking Rocky Mountain Princess if the recruiter mentioned a contract to her. I never asked the experienced drivers for their thoughts.

If similar experience and pay can be had not under a contract, then it doesn’t make as much sense for me or anyone else to obligate themselves to one. I’ve been under contract for 20 plus years. If I feel their is value in committing to one, I will.

I may find out that these other companies I’ve been speaking with require a contract. When Monday rolls around, I’ll get on the phone and see if I can find out.

Who knows, in the end I might sign on the dotted line with Jim Palmer! Lol.

There seems to be a misunderstanding here. I’m not opposed to a company requiring a 1 year contract, and I understand the reasoning behind it. I have signed numerous contracts throughout my military career, the longest being for 6 years.

If I have 2 or 3 companies that look like a good fit and one is not exceptionally better than the other, I’m probably going to pick the one that doesn’t have a contract. There are unforeseen circumstances in life, and why obligate myself further if I don’t have to?

I’ve missed the birth of one of my kids, birthdays, anniversaries, and every holiday you can think of while on deployment. I’m no stranger to sacrifice and commitment. I’m also accustomed to getting things done while under pressure.

I appreciate all the feedback, but I don’t really understand my level of commitment or my ability to succeed being questioned just because I prefer not to sign a contract if I don’t have to.

Brett, appreciate you taking the time to post and it makes sense that a company would want a commitment, and I only asked the question about the 1 year contract because Jim Palmer was the first company to mention it.

I’d like to think that these companies value someone with 20 plus years military experience and I’m confident that the adversity and challenges I’ve faced throughout my career along with the training and guidance I will receive from experienced truckers will help me be successful out on the road.

Lesson learned, I should have been asking companies about contracts. Going in, I never planned on doing less than 1 year at my first company. But if there are equal opportunities minus a contract, I may not want to tie myself down like that.

PackRat, was posting what someone else said they were told, never said it was true or that you should accept it as fact.

I haven’t crossed Jim Palmer off the list, and if I find out anything different about the 1 year contract, I will post it here.

Rainy, maybe I should call them again and verify if the 1 year is for tuition reimbursement. Thanks for the heads up.

It’s not so much what the companies offer veterans, but what the VA offers. If a company is approved by the VA to offer an OJT program to new drivers, then a veteran is eligible to receive a monthly housing stipend from the VA for 12 months, with some companies up to 24.

There are companies, such as US Express, who have other options if you choose not to take the housing stipend. US Express will offer an accelerated rate of pay as well as up to $7,000 in tuition reimbursement. Schneider also offers an accelerated pay rate to veterans.

I’m using the GI Bill to pay for CDL school since I’m still on active duty. If I was going to get my CDL after retirement, I would strongly consider going through one of the company sponsored programs, rather than using up my GI Bill. I want to start working and earning a check as soon as I retire, so I’m attending CDL school at night.

Someone posted on Trucker’s Report on Thursday stating the same thing about a 1 year contract.

https://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/threads/contract-with-jim-palmer.1363433/

You’ll have to call Roehl and check to see what zip codes they are hiring from. They’re not currently hiring from all 48, but they do run flatbed and have military apprenticeship program.

Thanks for the advice G-town and staying on for 1 year is my plan. I’ve never been at a job leas than 2 years, and I have been at my current one for 20 plus.

Just to be clear, I’m in CDL school being paid for by the GI Bill. I spoke with Jim Palmer about being hired on as a recent graduate with CDL-A in hand. They said they would require a 1 year contract.

Then maybe the Jim Palmer recruiter is the only one being upfront with me, haha. I’ll need to get back with the other companies and verify if they require a contract too.

I’m going to ATI in Virginia Beach.