CDL Training and Jobs for U.S. Veterans

Our roots run deep when it comes to supporting US veterans here at TDI. Truck Driver Institute, (TDI), was founded in 1973 by U.S. Army veteran, Thomas Gast. Since that time, TDI has grown to eleven campuses, and over the past 44 years, the school has partnered with 20+ trucking companies to help new drivers transition into the workforce as a Class A CDL driver. Finding jobs for U.S. veterans is very important to us at Truck Driver Institute.

TDI proudly offers a program that has been approved to offer VA education benefits. Many veterans are sitting on either their Post-911 ® or Montgomery GI Bill ® which could allow them to receive training and hit the road with a new career with top pay in a short period of time. TDI wants to help find jobs for U.S. Veterans all over the country. A new career is only 15 days away.

Troy Davidson is a TDI graduate & a U.S. Veteran.

Troy Davidson attended truck driving school at Truck Driver Institute in Milton, FL location. Troy is a U.S. Navy veteran as well as a former jet engine mechanic for the Blue Angels. When he attended TDI he decided to use his V.A. benefits, which are available to all veterans who attend truck driving school at TDI. The GI Bill ® ended up paying for all of Troy’s tuition!

“The great thing about [truck driving school] is you get to have a camaraderie of different types of people from all over the United States.”

Since Troy’s graduation from Truck Driver Institute, he has won the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award in 2016. Troy is truly a champion in the veteran and truck driving community.

Troy continues to be an ambassador for Werner Enterprises’ Freedom Fleet with the “Operation Freedom”  imagery displayed on his truck below.

Truck Driver Institute is proud to have Troy Davidson as one of our top graduates, as well as a part of the TDI family. Troy continues to surpass expectations having great success out on the road. He continues to visit his TDI family to share his experiences with current truck-driving school students.

Are you a veteran? The trucking process is easy.

Veterans need only apply for their COE (certificate of eligibility) with the VA. Upon receiving their eligibility benefits they can then enter into our 3-week training program. We then help place them with the trucking company of their choice that fits best. There are a few companies that will reimburse the student for him/her benefits. There are several who also participate in the apprenticeship program which allows eligible veterans to earn in excess of $24,000 in tax-free GI Bill ® payments in addition to their regular pay as a driver over a two-year period. Veterans have earned these benefits in service to our country so why not use the benefits instead of losing them.

Two of our past students recently had the honor of becoming finalists in the Transition Trucking: Driving For Excellence award presented by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes Program, (HOH). Troy Davidson (mentioned above), a U.S. Navy veteran who trained at our Milton, FL location went on to take home the first prize award of a brand new fully loaded Kenworth T680. Mr. Kevin Scott, a U.S. Army veteran who received his training at our Gulfport, MS campus, received $10,000 as a top 3 finalist and runner-up.

The trucking industry needs drivers. Currently, there are more seats than there are drivers to fill them. Here at TDI, we are doing our part to help fill those seats with veterans who have served this great country.

Are you a veteran looking to start a new career? Learn more about it by filling out this form or giving us a call. 

GI Bill ® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill