Heavy Duty Trucking, August 2019

HDT AUGUST 2019 98 WWW TRUCKINGINFO COM our years ago in an effort to increase its pool of drivers ABF Freight decided to look to individuals who would bring a high caliber character to the industry our countrys veterans Its not hard for these individuals to be on time or show up to work ready and prepared These are characteristics that are ingrained in every soldier These characteristics are the backbone of how anything gets done in the military world explains Mike Leverton ABF Freights driver development instructor and a veteran of the U S Army The program originated with ABF and the Teamsters as a part of the Teamsters Military Assistance Program beginning in 2015 at Fort Sill Oklahoma It was created to find new drivers but also to find people who are looking for a good life and a great job once their military career ends The program is six weeks long and starts around 90 days before a service member separates from active duty service The main focus is teaching recruits to operate a tractor trailer safely and competently They learn shifting backing and driving in city and highway conditions The program attempts to cover as much as the instructors can to assist these men and women to be successful as soon as they arrive at their service center We help provide a bridge from one career to the next Leverton says They start and finish the program while they are still on active duty The day they leave military service they have a job waiting for them with ABF Freight Soldiers coming out of the ABF TMAP program are all eligible for no cost health benefits after 90 days of employment Essentially they are receiving the same benefits as they would as a member of the Armed Forces Since 2015 the program has graduated more than 350 students including former Specialist and current ABF employee Frederick Curtis a city driver out of ABFs Chester Pennsylvania service center This program has made my decision to get out an easy one Curtis says I started about two weeks after leaving the military and right off the bat I was making more money I had a mentor who helped further train me and help me get settled in the area of my new service center It was so much easier than I thought getting out was going to be And there was no gap in terms of when his Sometimes a thank you comes in different forms An ABF student practices hooking a set during a training session at the Fort Carson Colorado facility Former U S Army Specialist and current ABF employee Frederick Curtis first day of training with ABF began while he was still on active duty In an effort to help veterans ABF Freights driver training program eases the transition into civilian life income ended with the military and began with ABF Curtis calls his choice the best decision I could have made Plus all the health benefits and retirement that I dont pay for that is huge for those of us getting out he adds Youre guaranteed a job and youre guaranteed to have benefits And for some graduates sometimes you return to where you started Leverton graduated from the ABF TMAP program before he left active duty Three years ago he returned as an instructor ABF and the Teamsters have given me the opportunity to come back to the program and pass on the knowledge that I have gained says Leverton adding We are not only providing soldiers with a great opportunity but also ABF benefits by gaining a trustworthy employee an employee who knows how to show up on time an employee that is a self starter In turn the Teamsters Union gets new members who are accustomed to being a part of a fraternity someone who is used to being a part of something more By Stephane Babcock Managing Editor sbabcock@ truckinginfo com FLEET SNAPSHOT WHO ABF Freight WHERE Fort Smith Arkansas FLEET About 4200 road and city tractors OPERATIONS Less than truckload FUN FACT Founded in 1923 CHALLENGE Serve our customers with the best experience possible FLEET TALK F PHOTOS ABF FREIGHT