CVTA Members Highlight Veteran Pathways into Professional Trucking
- CVTA Staff
- 2 hours ago
- 1 min read
CVTA members Werner Enterprises and Troops Into Transportation recently appeared on ABC Channel 3 News to discuss how the Freedom Haulers initiative can connect more veterans with rewarding careers in trucking while maintaining the training and safety standards professional driving demands.
Greg Hamm, vice president of field and government recruiting for Werner Enterprises, highlighted the qualities veterans bring to the industry, including discipline, reliability, and a mission-first approach to completing jobs safely and on time.
Hamm also made an important distinction: earning a CDL is only the beginning. Reputable carriers provide extensive preparation before a new driver begins operating independently. This ensures drivers are ready to handle tractor-trailers and the demands of the road safely.
Andrea Marathakis, senior vice president with Troops Into Transportation, explained that professional driver preparation includes vehicle inspections, advanced backing and parking maneuvers, and driving on public roadways. Veterans may bring significant heavy-vehicle experience, but operating a commercial tractor-trailer can require different skills and familiarity with different equipment.
The federal Military Skills Test Waiver Program allows qualified service members and veterans with documented heavy-vehicle experience to waive the CDL driving test. That waiver can remove an unnecessary barrier, but high-quality preparation and employer training remain essential to a safe and successful transition.
CVTA is proud to see its members helping shape the national conversation around veterans, safety and opportunity. Their message is clear: veterans possess valuable, transferable skills, and strong training partnerships can help turn those skills into lasting trucking careers.
