On Veterans Day, government officials and members of the trucking industry gathered in Washington, D.C. to recognize those who served in the military and to update the progress of a program to help veterans find truck driving jobs.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator Derek Barrs Wednesday were joined by veterans and trucking industry leaders to celebrate Veterans Day and highlight the success of the Freedom Haulers initiative to fast-track veterans into trucking careers.
At the Veterans Day event on the National Mall, Duffy announced Freedom Haulers progress, including:
- FMCSA investing $3.5 million into training providers in 21 states to expand services training programs for veterans
- 12 trucking companies committing to hiring more than 13,000 veterans with help from the Department of Labor (DOL)
- Nearly 400 veterans have already used their GI bill to obtain benefits thanks to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
“Today is all about delivering results for the brave men and women who sacrificed so much in defense of our nation,” said Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “In just a few months, our Freedom Haulers campaign has raised awareness and helped hundreds of veterans pursue an exciting career in trucking."
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In July, the DOT launched Freedom Haulers alongside the Department of Veteran Affairs, the Department of War, and the Department of Labor. As part of this hiring campaign, FMCSA expanded its Military Skills Test Waiver and Even Exchange Program — expediting the time it takes for veterans to earn their commercial driver’s license.
