American Trucking Associations, U.S. Army Reserve Launch Motor Transport Military Civilian Partnership

ARLINGTON, Va., April 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Trucking Associations (ATA) today 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," said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. "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," Graves said.

"I'm honored to join the American Trucking Associations to form the first Motor Transport Military Civilian partnership," said Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, Chief, Army Reserve and Commanding General, Army Reserve Command. "This is a mutually beneficial relationship for the trucking industry and the Army Reserve. Together, we will build and sustain a strong shared workforce."

The agreement signed today 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, said 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," Stultz said. "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.

The American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of other trucking groups, industry-related conferences, and its 50 affiliated state trucking associations, ATA represents more than 37,000 members covering every type of motor carrier in the United States. For additional information, please visit http://www.truckline.com.

ABOUT THE UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE

The Army Reserve is a community-based federally directed force of highly skilled, patriotic men and woman that provides our nation with trained units and qualified soldiers during peacetime, contingencies and war. These soldier citizens are the backbone of the U.S. Army, providing critical support in combat, peacekeeping, nation building and civil affairs. Army Reserve Soldiers have proudly played a vital role in every American military and humanitarian mission of the past 100 years. Today, 195,000 trained Army Reserve Soldiers in units across the country stand ready to serve the nation. For additional information please visit http://www.armyreserve.army.mil.