Hiring Military Veterans Can Help Beat The Driver Shortage

Hiring Military Veterans Can Help Beat The Driver Shortage. The U.S. truck driver shortage is expected to double in the next decade due to challenges in replacing aging drivers. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed shippers to accelerate products through their supply chains faster, thus increasing the demand for drivers even further. So in an effort to hire more drivers and effectively fill the void, many fleets are turning to the idea of recruiting U.S. military veterans as drivers.

Why Hire Military Veterans as Truck Drivers?

Talking to fleet customers revealed that military and truck driver lifestyles have interesting similarities, making them a compatible match. Both careers involve maintaining a highly structured and regimented schedule and also require spending some time away from home. Veterans are also mission and goal-oriented and have likely already been trained how to operate effectively through different terrains and inclement weather. These are great qualities all fleet managers would love to see in their own team of drivers. 

Here are some other key reasons why military vets can be great assets for trucking companies:

• Military members excel at teamwork, working effectively together to achieve shared objectives. Hauling cargo is a vital part of a collaborative supply chain, ensuring the safe and punctual delivery of goods.
• Being away from home for months at a time is something those in the military are used to. As a truck driver, you spend extended periods on the road, but only for a few days at a time before being able to return to your family. Truck drivers enjoy stable internet access and a variety of communication options to stay connected with loved ones.
• They have a strong work ethic and sense of accountability. Military veterans understand the value of the work they do and they take their duties seriously. Fleet owners desire drivers who possess a sense of responsibility and accountability for their own success and the success of the organization.
• They have strong leadership skills. Something that many believe is missing in the trucking industry, especially with so many experienced drivers retiring. Veterans are people that young recruits can look up to and be mentored by.
• Due to the nature of their job, veterans have acquired the ability to take charge of situations and maintain a calm demeanor in times of stress.

In our opinion, these are qualities any employer would want in an employee.

What are you doing to recruit great drivers with staying power? Have you hired a military vet before? Tell us in the comments below!

To learn more about veterans, we recommend checking out DAV (Disabled American Veterans). They are a non-profit organization that we proudly support.

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