U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has announced a new interagency effort to attract more of America’s veterans into pursuing careers in trucking. The new initiative – called Freedom Haulers – is a patriotic hiring campaign that educates veterans on how there’s never been a better time to join the trucking industry, outlines why veterans backgrounds make them a great fit for the job, and connects them with resources to seamlessly transition from service to driving a big rig.
Led by the Department of Transportation, the Freedom Haulers campaign includes contributions from the Department of Veteran Affairs, the Department of War, and the Department of Labor. The initiative builds on President Trump’s efforts to clean up America’s roadways, crack down on dangerous foreign drivers, and support American truckers.
The campaign will take many forms, including a new viral digital ad, radio ads, and a new microsite cataloging all the federal resources and private sector partners that can help service members secure good-paying trucking jobs.
Transportation Secretary Duffy and Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins hosted a kickoff event for the campaign and announce additional policy measures to support the effort.
“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we are removing more and more dangerous foreign drivers off our roads every day and restoring the integrity of America’s trucking industry,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “Our new Freedom Haulers campaign will help build on these successes and get the word out that there’s never been a better time for America’s former service members to get behind the wheel of a big rig. Trucking requires the precision, independence, and discipline that they forged in the military—there’s no one better to tackle the challenge. By answering the call, veterans can leverage their GI Bill benefits and take on a new, essential mission: keep America moving.”
“President Trump’s Freedom Haulers initiative is another victory for common sense. Instead of putting dangerous illegal immigrants on the road, we should be putting trust in our Veterans who have the discipline, determination and work ethic to succeed in this rewarding career path,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “VA already helps thousands of Veterans make this transition every year, and we stand ready to help thousands more.”
“Veterans play an important role in President Trump’s agenda to Make America Skilled Again and fill the gap that our workforce currently faces,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. “The qualities that America’s veterans have honed during their time in uniform directly translate the Administration’s efforts to make our roads safer and to help move critical goods across the country. I look forward to working with Secretary Duffy and Secretary Collins on the Freedom Haulers campaign to find those men and women who are looking to pursue a career in trucking.”
Additional Information:
The Freedom Haulers campaign outlines the reasons to join the trucking industry, including:
- The skills learned in uniform translate to the driver’s seat. Veterans have the expertise, integrity, and discipline to keep America moving.
- There has never been a better time to get behind the wheel. Thanks to the Trump Administration’s crackdown on fraud and illegal truckers, hourly earnings are on the rise.
- You enter the workforce making real money on day one. Truckers can choose your own hours, your own schedule, and the companies you work with.
- It is a fulfilling, mission-first career. Truckers keep our farmers in business, our store shelves stocked and our gas stations supplied.
- Your training is 100% VA funded. The VA’s tuition cap typically covers 100% of CDL training costs at colleges and technical schools for Veterans who served for at least 36 months.
- You get a fast-tracked entry. Veterans with heavy vehicle military experience can apply for FMCSA’s waivers to skip redundant road tests–getting you licensed and on the road in just a few weeks.
The original announcement can be found here.
