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Vehicle Drivers

The military uses numerous vehicles to transport its troops, equipment, and supplies. Together, the services own and operate about 50,000 heavy trucks and buses. Vehicle drivers operate all types of heavy military vehicles.

They drive fuel or water tank trucks, semi-tractor trailers, heavy troop transports, and passenger buses.

Job Details:

What They Do:

Vehicle drivers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

Read travel instructions to determine travel routes, arrival dates, and types of cargo
Make sure vehicles are loaded properly
Check oil, fuel and other fluid levels, and tire pressure
Drive vehicles over all types of roads, traveling alone or in convoys
Keep records of mileage driven and fuel and oil used
Wash vehicles and perform routine maintenance and repairs

Training Provided:

Job training consists of 7 to 8 weeks of classroom instruction, including practice in driving heavy military vehicles. Course content typically includes:

Accident prevention
Safety check procedures
International road signs
Basic vehicle maintenance

Work Environment:

Vehicle driving involves long periods of sitting.

Opportunities:

The services have about 14,000 vehicle drivers. Each year, they need new vehicle drivers due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. After job training, vehicle drivers are assigned to motor pools or motor transport units. They generally work without close supervision. In time, vehicle drivers may advance to supervisory positions assisting in the management of motor transport units.

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