From Military Service to the Open Road: How the Trucking Industry Is Creating New Opportunities for Veterans

For many veterans, retirement from military service comes with uncertainty—a major life and routine change that may seem to offer limited options. However, despite the anxiety this transition may bring, it does not mean they have to leave their sense of duty behind. Instead, it can mark the beginning of a new mission: one on the open road, becoming part of an industry that is essential to the economy.

Finding a career that allows them to put their acquired knowledge and experience to use, maintain a degree of stability, and build a new future is a priority for many veterans. In this context, the trucking industry offers an attractive alternative, as military experience often develops skills that are also essential to logistics operations, including discipline, punctuality, leadership, teamwork, adaptability to changing situations, and a strong commitment to safety protocols.

Additionally, some veterans have direct experience operating military vehicles, maintaining equipment, managing fleets, handling logistics, and coordinating operations. These skills can give them a competitive advantage when pursuing opportunities in the industry.

Veterans in the Trucking Industry

Veterans have a significant presence in the transportation sector. According to data from Veterans Breakfast Club, approximately one in four veterans in the United States works as a truck driver. The Driver Resource Center and other industry reports estimate that around 25% of U.S. veterans are truck drivers. With more than 18 million living veterans in the United States, that translates to approximately 4.5 million veteran truck drivers.

Meanwhile, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), using 2019 employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 673,950 veterans were employed in the private transportation and utilities sector. This represents approximately one in every 12 employed veterans.

The trucking industry is one of the sectors offering some of the greatest opportunities and career openings for U.S. veterans. In fact, just a few months ago, the administration of President Donald Trump announced three changes aimed at making it easier for military veterans to enter the U.S. trucking industry.

“Veterans represent exactly the sense of duty, determination, and precision that this industry needs,“ said Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Administrator Derek D. Barrs.

Why Do Veterans Choose Trucking After Military Retirement?

The fact that veterans make up a significant portion of the trucking industry’s workforce is no coincidence. There are several reasons why this industry appeals to those transitioning out of military service. Some of the main ones include:

1. A Career That Puts Their Skills to Work

Commercial driving, logistics, and fleet management require organization, responsibility, and sound decision-making. These are skills that many veterans have developed throughout their years of military service.

2. Job Opportunities Across Different Areas

The industry is not limited to truck driving. It also offers career opportunities in commercial vehicle maintenance, safety, operations, transportation supervision, logistics, and entrepreneurship.

3. The Opportunity to Work Independently

Some veterans see commercial trucking as an opportunity to become owner-operators, manage their own trucks, and build a business of their own.

4. A New Mission After Military Service

Freight transportation plays an essential role in everyday life. Delivering food, medicine, construction materials, and other products allows veterans to continue contributing to an industry that directly benefits society.

5. Programs That Make the Transition Easier

In the United States, several initiatives help transitioning service members and veterans turn their military experience into civilian credentials. For example, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) offers programs that can make it easier to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), including skills test waivers for eligible military drivers.

These programs help reduce some of the barriers to entering the industry while allowing veterans to benefit from the training and experience they already have.

Outstanding Qualities Veterans Bring to the Industry

In addition to being an excellent career option for veterans, the trucking industry also benefits from the qualities former military personnel bring to the workforce. Military service involves much more than technical driving experience, and employers often recognize veterans for a range of valuable skills, including:

• Professionalism
• Attention to detail
• A strong safety mindset
• Reliability
• Leadership
• Time management
• The ability to remain calm under pressure
• Mechanical knowledge
• Commitment to accomplishing the mission

Veterans Keep America Moving

Serving a nation can take many forms. For some veterans, that service continues through freight transportation—traveling the highways, coordinating deliveries, managing fleets, or building businesses of their own. Their contributions represent a story of adaptability, perseverance, and commitment that deserves recognition.

This November 11, we celebrate all the veterans who, after serving their country, found a new mission on the open road. To those who drive, build businesses, maintain equipment, and make every transportation operation possible: thank you for continuing to keep America moving.