Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/74547
near Kuwait to the refineries in Baghdad. "At the time you're not really scared," he recalls. "You're secure in the fact that you're going to do dangerous things but you know how they're supposed to be done." Today, Edwards' mission – deliver- s a Marine infantry unit leader serving in Iraq, Jeff Edwards' mission was critical – and dangerous: providing security for the second tank battalion refuelers as they traveled from ing dry van and refrigerated freight on a dedicated run out of Dallas – is not nearly as hazardous, but he relies on the skills he developed during 13 years with the Marine Corps to complete it efficiently and safely. "Once you get your mission you're on your own, so you have to have your initiative and discipline to get your loads delivered on time," says the 37-year- old, who drives for Schneider National. Edwards, who also piloted Schneider's Ride of Pride truck, is one of thou- sands of Gulf War II Era veterans – those who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces since September 2001 – who have chosen a career in trucking. In fact, of the 1.7 million Gulf War II Era veterans in the workforce, about 80,000 work in transportation and warehousing, which includes trucking, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Trucking welcomes veterans with open Russ O'Dell, left, and Greg Roberts are 20-year Army veterans who pilot the 2012 and 2011 Freightliner Ride of Pride trucks for Schneider National. The trucks travel the country appearing at events honoring our military. arms. The industry faces an estimated shortfall of nearly 100,000 qualified driv- ers, a number that could grow to nearly 250,000 by the end of 2013 with new hours of service rules. At the same time, returning veterans need work: The BLS estimates the unemployment rate for Gulf War II Era veterans at 12 percent, com- pared to the overall unemployment rate of 8 percent. For male veterans aged 18 to 24, it's even higher – 29 percent, compared to 18 percent for the general population. Veterans considering a move to trucking will get more than just a job, says Michael O'Connell, executive director of the Commercial Vehicle Training Association, a trade group representing about 200 truck driver training campuses nationwide. He compares the prospects of some- one becoming a truck driver with getting a four-year college degree. The college graduate "is not assured of getting a job," he says, and if they do, the aver- age nonscience starting salary is $37,800. Conversely, "if they go to truck driving school for as little as four weeks, they can start in an industry with high demand and start at $40,000," he says. And that's just the beginning. From there, drivers can move into regional or dedicated operations, or go on to own their own truck or even a fleet, O'Connell says. From the carrier's perspective, there are two primary reasons hiring veterans makes sense, says Mike Hinz, vice president of driver recruiting for Schneider National. "First of all, there's the patriotic 'we owe it to the country' aspect," says Hinz, a for- mer Army officer. Then there's the return on investment. "Productivity, good judg- ment, staying safe, showing up to work on time – those fundamental attributes help us to be a better trucking company and help us to be competitive in a very com- petitive industry." Currently 21 percent of Schneider's hires are former military. Crete Carrier Corp. sees the military as a fresh source of qualified drivers, says Jeff Dady, Crete driver development manager. "We had two options: hire out of schools or hire out of the military," he says. "The military does so much to prepare indi- viduals to deal with situations – adversity, attention to detail. We feel veterans make outstanding employees." To help attract more veterans, Phoenix- based Swift Transportation recently hired Saul Perez, a 21-year Marine Corps vet- eran, as its first military transitional liaison. "Our goal is to help veterans pursue suc- August 2012 | Overdrive | 27 Schnieder National