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Trump unveils military-to-trucking hiring pipeline
Werner, J.B. Hunt, Schneider, Stevens Transport, UPS support plan for veterans
Key Takeaways:
- Freedom Haulers aims to transition military veterans into trucking careers through training, employment and licensing support.
- Major carriers including Werner, J.B. Hunt, Schneider, Stevens Transport and UPS are participating in the initiative.
- Federal agencies will provide GI Bill benefits, apprenticeships and expanded CDL pathways for eligible veterans.
WASHINGTON — Backed by five major trucking companies, President Donald Trump on July 30 unveiled his Freedom Haulers initiative to automatically transition military veterans into professional driving careers.
The program, announced at a White House ceremony, focuses on removing financial barriers and other obstacles to provide military veterans with jobs in trucking — whether or not they have experience driving heavy trucks.
American Trucking Associations was among the industry stakeholders Trump cited for backing the program.
“American Trucking Associations has long supported initiatives to help more veterans launch rewarding, good-paying careers in the trucking industry,” ATA President Chris Spear said in a statement. “That’s why we were proud to participate in the launch of Freedom Haulers at the White House.”
Trump joined with Sean Duffy and Doug Collins, the secretaries of Transportation and Veterans Affairs, respectively, and acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling to showcase the new “military to CDL pipeline.”
They were flanked by Werner Enterprises President Nathan Meisgeier and a blue “Operation: Freedom” Werner truck emblazoned with an American eagle to honor, support and recruit military veterans. The Omaha, Neb.-based company is a carrier partner in Freedom Haulers.
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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy (left), President Donald Trump and Werner President Nathan Meisgeier share a light moment. (Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg)
Meisgeier announced an initiative to hire 1,400 new veteran drivers by 2027. Some 15% of the company’s 14,000 associates nationwide are veterans and military spouses.
Werner provides advanced military pay credits, full GI Bill apprenticeship benefits and Operation Freedom, a fleet staffed entirely by military veterans.
Meisgeier said Trump’s program “will have a direct and powerful impact on our ability to hire even more veterans into our workforce and into this great trucking economy” by removing red tape and translating a veteran’s driving experience directly into a civilian CDL.
“The transition from military life to behind the wheel of a commercial truck has brought a renewed sense of mission for me.” - Ricky Washington, veteran and @One_Werner driver 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/EjcB6Hkydp — Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) July 30, 2026
Other carrier partners
- J.B. Hunt: Founded by a veteran, the company offers expedited CDL certification through military experience waivers, paid apprenticeships and federal SkillBridge support.
- Schneider: Veterans can receive driving-experience credit and up to $1,647 per month in GI Bill housing benefits in addition to a full paycheck.
- Stevens Transport: Through Operation Patriot, veterans, active-duty service members, reservists and National Guard members can receive GI Bill on-the-job training benefits during a 12-month paid apprenticeship.
- UPS: The nation’s largest carrier employs more than 25,000 veterans and provides resources aimed at helping them build long-term, high-earning careers.
Trump pointed to the need to fill trucking jobs with trained American veterans to replace thousands of foreign truck drivers who have been deported and had their commercial driver licenses yanked under his administration.
English-language proficiency enforced
“For many years, American highways and roadways have been terrorized by unqualified illegal aliens dangerously driving big rigs,” Trump said. “As we get illegal aliens off the roads today, we’re also taking action to replace these unqualified migrant truck drivers with highly qualified American veterans.”
He revealed 24,000 foreign truckers lacking English-language speaking and comprehension skills have been removed from behind the wheel while states have been forced to cancel 28,000 CDLs “unlawfully issued” to undocumented foreigners.
The skills developed in military service—leadership, discipline, resilience, teamwork, and a mission-focused mindset—are the same qualities that define trucking professionals.
Freedom Haulers seeks to create a stronger bridge between military service and trucking careers.… pic.twitter.com/gTiR3EVYs0 — American Trucking (@TRUCKINGdotORG) July 30, 2026
“Last year alone, illegal aliens with commercial driver’s licenses caused at least 30 deaths and many, many seriously injured,” Trump said. “As president, I made it our official policy to enforce English-language requirements for truck drivers and support American truckers on American roadways.”
VA to support truck driving careers
The VA will pay for truck driving school for veterans through the GI Bill and the Veterans Readiness and Employment program. Some 2,800 veterans are already using these benefits.
In addition, the VA is launching an engagement effort targeted at 19 million veterans to provide information about professional driving careers in trucking.
Labor and Defense departments join effort
DOL will use its Employment Navigator and Partnership Program that operates on military bases to provide one-on-one career assistance to transitioning service members and spouses. The navigator connects job candidates in-person and virtually with training, services and employment resources.
The department also will connect service members planning to leave the military with trucking employers. DOL’s Apprenticeship Program will allow veterans to draw a monthly educational housing stipend on top of their full trucking paycheck while training.
The Defense Department will now allow transitioning service members to spend their final 180 days of active duty in civilian trucking training through the SkillBridge program.
Even Exchange Program expanded
A major element of Freedom Haulers expands the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Even Exchange Program, in which a driver can exchange a military license for a CDL and waive the knowledge test for military veterans transitioning into professional driving careers.
DOT will expand eligibility for veterans seeking expedited CDLs by extending the military-service waiver period from 12 months to 24 months after active-duty service.
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland and Wyoming are among 34 states implementing the Even Exchange Program, enabling qualified veterans to bypass both written and driving exams to expedite CDL licensing.
