At Diamond Freight Systems Inc. (DFSI), we’re constantly doing research and analyzing new, and pre-existing trends in the trucking industry. In today’s blog post, we’ll be looking at veterans and how they fit into our industry.
With salaries ranging upwards of $75,000 for honorably discharged veterans, the trucking industry continues its historical search for recruiting more veterans. There are countless parallels between veterans’ previous experience in the military and that of the lifestyle trucking provides them. In fact, truck drivers who are veterans, statistically have 42% fewer accidents per year compared to their non-veteran counterparts.
1. Military Skills Overlap With General Soft Skills Required in Trucking
Veterans usually possess highly sought-after soft skills like situational awareness, dependability, leadership, and teamwork. When transitioning military skills, many of the life lessons learned while in service can come in handy for veterans in the trucking industry. Being incredibly disciplined and taught the importance of duty, the picture becomes clearer for veterans transitioning to civilian life. Considering that one in four veterans are truckers, it’s also clear that many veterans naturally find their way into the trucking industry.
2. Veterans Understand Being Away From Home for Long Periods of Time
It’s no secret that truck drivers normally spend a lot of their workday traveling from state to state or cross-country. In fact, in recent years, veterans who are truck drivers have had 98% more miles than non-veteran drivers. Not to mention, for veterans of the military, it can make sense to transition to the trucking industry. For many veterans, the military lifestyle requires them to move frequently or sporadically throughout their careers. As truck drivers, they are more likely to understand, and even respect, the lifestyle of truckers.
3. High Turnover Rates in the Industry Become Lower When Veterans Are Drivers
With issues of high turnover rates in the trucking industry, veterans often times can help stabilize any volatility trucking companies face. In 2020, the average turnover rate is 90% at large freight carrier trucking companies. One theory for why veterans have a better time sticking with large freight companies is that they don’t shy away when times become difficult in the industry. It may also help that most veterans understand the importance of camaraderie and the concept of being in a military family. Having a teamwork mindset can further help veterans in the trucking industry.
Whether it’s reassessing your freight operations or finding a reliable transportation company for your cargo needs, we here at DFSI are prepared to fulfill your orders in a timely manner. Feel free to reach out to us at our Contact Us page. We’re always prepared to provide you with the timely and top-quality freight consolidation you deserve every time.
“5 Reasons Why Vets Should Consider a Career in Trucking.” Military.com, 14 July 2021
https://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/career-advice/5-reasons-why-vets-should-consider-career-trucking.html
Ruiz, Stephen. “Trucking Industry Sees Veterans as Central to Business – Military Veterans.” Military Families, 1 Mar. 2021,
https://militaryfamilies.com/military-veterans/trucking-industry-sees-veterans-as-central-to-business/
Staff, CCJ. “Driver Turnover Rate Holding Steady.” Commercial Carrier Journal, 30 Mar. 2021,
https://www.ccjdigital.com/economic-trends/article/15064753/driver-turnover-rate-holding-steady
“The Growing Demand for Veterans in the Truck Driving Industry.” US Military, 24 Sept. 2021,
https://usmilitary.com/truck-driving-military/
“Why Veterans Make Great CDL Truck Drivers.” Roadmaster Drivers School, 6 July 2021,
https://www.roadmaster.com/blog/veterans-make-great-cdl-truck-drivers/