The American Trucking Associations on Monday, April 14, signed a recruiting partnership agreement with the U.S. Army Reserve that will provide experienced truck drivers for the military and provide careers to truck drivers leaving the military. The two organizations will focus efforts on recruiting commercial vehicle drivers into the U.S. Army Reserve, and recruiting members of the U.S. Army Reserve and those transitioning from active duty to the Army Reserve into careers in the trucking industry.
“The men and women of the Armed Forces have all the motivation and tools necessary to move successfully from the military into many areas within our industry,” says Bill Graves, ATA president and chief executive officer. “Army Reservists are ideal candidates for America’s professional truck drivers. By the same token, the Army Reserve can offer qualified transportation professionals exciting opportunities to learn new skills, develop management and leadership abilities, excel in a high-stress climate and work in a team environment. I am proud that the ATA is partnering with the U.S. Army Reserve on this venture.”
“I’m honored to join the American Trucking Associations to form the first Motor Transport Military Civilian partnership,” says Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, Army Reserve chief and Army Reserve Command commanding general. “This is a mutually beneficial relationship for the trucking industry and the Army Reserve. Together, we will build and sustain a strong shared work force.”
The agreement signed at ATA’s Arlington headquarters commits ATA and the Army Reserve to creating a detailed pact to carry out the recruiting partnership. Working together, the trucking industry and the Army Reserve will make it possible for active-duty soldiers transitioning out of the military and those currently serving in the Army Reserve to find a lucrative career that combines a high-paying civilian career with the benefits of continued military service in the Army Reserve.
The alliance with the ATA is the first of its kind in the nation between the Army Reserve and the motor transport industry, says Stultz, who aims to give employers incentives for employing Army Reserve soldiers. “We’re into the seventh year of the global war on terrorism, and employers are bearing the burden when their soldier-employee takes a leave of absence from the workplace to support the war in Iraq or Afghanistan,” he says. “We’re offering employers who want to partner with us the chance to gain tangible benefits by hiring Army Reserve soldiers.”
The Army Reserve is working with business leaders and Chambers of Commerce across the country under its Employer Partnership initiative. It establishes a process of cross-credentialing and reciprocity of licensing whereby employers and the Army Reserve may secure and share the talents of prequalified, screened, trained and educated professionals. Partners such as the ATA will benefit from the employment of intelligent, trained and responsible men and women with Army values, experience and proven leadership skills.
