Guardsmen Earn Commercial Drivers Licenses

Photo By Sgt. Maj. Bill Valentine | Instructor Patrick Etheradge from the Mississippi Construction Education Foundation coaches Sgt. Devon Holcomb, a motor transport operator from the 1687th Transportation Company, Mississippi Army National Guard, in a commercial truck driving simulator at Camp McCain, Mississippi, July 23rd, 2022. This training is a part of a Work for Warriors program that helps Soldiers who are qualified to operate heavy military vehicles obtain a civilian commercial driver’s license. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Mr. Bill Valentine)  

CAMP MCCAIN, MS, UNITED STATES

07.23.2022

Story by Bill Valentine 

Joint Force Headquarters - Mississippi National Guard

The national demand for commercial truck drivers is at an all time high. Recruiters for professional trucking companies have become increasingly interested in military trained motor vehicle operators as a potential source for drivers. Thanks to Gov. Tate Reeves signing House Bill 1486, the Commission of Public Safety can now grant Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDLs) to Mississippi National Guard (MSNG) members who are trained and qualified to operate heavy military vehicles. The MSNG Outreach Services program, Work for Warriors is especially interested in opportunities to help guardsmen translate their military experience into civilian credentials and are working with both state and private stakeholders to increase employment opportunities for qualified Servicmembers.
On July 23, 2022, motor transport operators from the 1687th Transportation Company and 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group turned their 88M Military Occupational Skill into a commercial driver’s license at Camp McCain Training Center. This two-day training program is a partnership between the Work for Warriors program, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, the Mississippi Construction Education Foundation (MCEF), and multiple trucking companies throughout the state.
“The Work for Warriors CDL training is a win-win for everyone involved. Our Servicemembers are going to be more competitive, being able to utilize the training and knowledge from their military experience in the civilian sector,” said MSNG Employment Director, Sarah Frey. “The industry partners had a chance to do a ride-along interview and connect with Servicemembers that may be interested in careers, and we are getting better trained Soldiers from the experience as well.”
Day one of the CDL training began with participating Soldiers receiving their driver’s packages and a presentation from stakeholders such as the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, the MSARNG Education Office, and MDOT physical providers from Cycle Eight Clinic.
Once the paperwork was complete, the Soldiers traveled to nearby Grenada where the Department of Public Safety licensed all 21 National Guard participants. Upon return to Camp McCain, Dwight Brown, CEO of Goal Line CDL led a military to civilian transportation class. Afterward, each Soldier took the wheel in a state-of-the-art commercial truck simulator provided by the MCEF. The evening came to a close with a network dinner sponsored by the Grenada Banking Industry. During this dinner, stakeholders met with Soldiers, shared their company overviews, benefits, and ready-to-fill career opportunities.
Day two kicked off with the program’s Over the Road experience where expert CDL trainers set up four challenging courses for the Soldiers to master. First, the trainees navigated each scenario driving a familiar MSARNG M915 tractor truck pulling a 40 ft. trailer. Next, the drivers took the wheel of a commercial semitrailer provided by Total Transportation company. Spc. Zion Lee, 2-20th SFG, found the courses demanding but also familiar.
“It was a little bit different backing the commercial trucks in but most of the things we learned as Army motor transport operators we were able to apply to these similar rigs,” said Lee.
Once the Soldiers felt comfortable with the big rigs, the trainers reset the challenge course for a CDL Rodeo competition. The top three drivers were awarded gift cards for their safety knowledge and demonstration of the driving skills they learned at Camp McCain Training Center. For information on the Work for Warriors military to civilian skill training, visit https://www.workforwarriorsms.org.

• Date Taken: 07.23.2022
• Date Posted: 08.29.2022 09:32
• Story ID: 427356
• Location: CAMP MCCAIN, MS, US
• Hometown: GRENADA, MS, US