{"id":237680,"date":"2024-12-09T20:09:41","date_gmt":"2024-12-09T20:09:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.usxpress.com\/?p=237680"},"modified":"2024-12-10T13:37:24","modified_gmt":"2024-12-10T13:37:24","slug":"navigating-the-transition-to-civilian-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usxpress.com\/blog\/navigating-the-transition-to-civilian-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Navigating the transition to civilian life"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>Author: Katie Dyson, Senior Brand Manager<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The transition from military to civilian life can be daunting. For many veterans, the path to a fulfilling career post-service requires a bit of guidance and preparation. The SkillBridge Internship Program offers an invaluable opportunity for military members to make this transition smoothly, all while retaining their income and benefits. Through hands-on experience and mentorship, the program provides a unique bridge from military life to a successful civilian career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Matthew Mata, a Marine Corps veteran, is currently participating in the SkillBridge program at U.S. Xpress. We asked him to share a little bit about how the SkillBridge program has helped him prepare for life outside the military.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What is the SkillBridge Program?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For those unfamiliar with the <a href=\"https:\/\/skillbridge.osd.mil\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SkillBridge Program<\/a>, Matthew explains it simply: \u201cIt\u2019s an opportunity for any Marine to begin transitioning through on-the-job training and coursework while maintaining your current income.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Essentially, SkillBridge connects service members with civilian companies, allowing them to work in internships that align with their career interests. The best part? Service members continue to receive their military pay and benefits throughout the internship, making it easier to focus on gaining valuable skills for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What kind of work is Matthew doing at U.S. Xpress?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a Supervisor II on our Dedicated team, Matthew&#8217;s responsibilities include tracking the performance of truck drivers, ensuring their safety on the road, and helping mentor new employees. He is deeply involved in the operational side of logistics, managing tasks such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tracking and managing load plans assigned to tractors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Monitoring driver behavior through LYTX (a telematics and safety system)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Coaching drivers on safety and performance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Verifying freight delivery to the correct facilities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Preparing new drivers for success by helping them understand the safety protocols and other key operational procedures<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere are plenty of similarities to our daily workflow,\u201d he says. \u201cMentoring new drivers and counseling employees on their practices mirrors the leadership and coaching skills I developed in the Marine Corps.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How has the transition to civilian life been?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most significant benefits of the SkillBridge program is its ability to ease the transition to civilian life. Matthew notes that U.S. Xpress has been flexible in allowing him to handle personal matters, such as Veteran Affairs appointments and other transition-related tasks, while still advancing his career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe flexibility at U.S. Xpress has allowed me to manage my personal affairs without missing a beat at work,\u201d he explains. \u201cWeekly meetings with the Director of Operations allow me to communicate directly about any concerns or challenges I\u2019m facing, which has been incredibly helpful in navigating my transition.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The balance between professional development and personal transition is key in making the adjustment smoother, and the mentorship and support at U.S. Xpress have been instrumental in this process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Would Matthew recommend the SkillBridge Program?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;\u201cDefinitely! I already have,\u201d he says. \u201cI\u2019m still on the lookout for fellow Marines on social media who are looking for a challenging new career. The SkillBridge program offers a real opportunity to start a civilian career while still getting the support and benefits of military service.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For veterans looking to enter the workforce, SkillBridge provides a crucial stepping stone, and Matthew encourages anyone considering it to take the leap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SkillBridge is just one of the many offerings at U.S. Xpress to support our veterans. Contact Nina Gindi (<a href=\"mailto:cgindi@usxpress.com\">cgindi@usxpress.com<\/a>) for more information about our SkillBridge Program. Visit the U.S. Xpress website to learn more about our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usxpress.com\/company\/careers\/military\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">corporate<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usxpress.com\/drivers\/veteran-programs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">driver veteran programs<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary><em>More about Katie Dyson, Senior Brand Manager<\/em><\/summary>\n<p>Katie is a dynamic communicator dedicated to meeting people where they\u2019re at. With a diverse background in corporate communications, marketing, and graphic design, her career spans a range of industries, including automotive manufacturing, paperboard packaging, insurance, and trucking. Outside of her professional work, Katie enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, playing sports, and traveling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/katie-dyson-17003681\">Connect with Katie on LinkedIn.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.usxpress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3805_reduced-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-237673\" style=\"width:331px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.usxpress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3805_reduced-980x654.jpg 980w, https:\/\/www.usxpress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_3805_reduced-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 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c-2.552,0-4.622,2.069-4.622,4.622S9.448,16.622,12,16.622s4.622-2.069,4.622-4.622S14.552,7.378,12,7.378z M12,15 c-1.657,0-3-1.343-3-3s1.343-3,3-3s3,1.343,3,3S13.657,15,12,15z M16.804,6.116c-0.596,0-1.08,0.484-1.08,1.08 s0.484,1.08,1.08,1.08c0.596,0,1.08-0.484,1.08-1.08S17.401,6.116,16.804,6.116z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Instagram<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-linkedin  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/us-xpress\/\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M19.7,3H4.3C3.582,3,3,3.582,3,4.3v15.4C3,20.418,3.582,21,4.3,21h15.4c0.718,0,1.3-0.582,1.3-1.3V4.3 C21,3.582,20.418,3,19.7,3z M8.339,18.338H5.667v-8.59h2.672V18.338z M7.004,8.574c-0.857,0-1.549-0.694-1.549-1.548 c0-0.855,0.691-1.548,1.549-1.548c0.854,0,1.547,0.694,1.547,1.548C8.551,7.881,7.858,8.574,7.004,8.574z M18.339,18.338h-2.669 v-4.177c0-0.996-0.017-2.278-1.387-2.278c-1.389,0-1.601,1.086-1.601,2.206v4.249h-2.667v-8.59h2.559v1.174h0.037 c0.356-0.675,1.227-1.387,2.526-1.387c2.703,0,3.203,1.779,3.203,4.092V18.338z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">LinkedIn<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>U.S. Xpress SkillBridge intern shares how his military skills translate to a corporate career.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":237683,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><em>Author: <strong>Tracey Dover<\/strong>, Vice President of Driver Retention<\/em><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Transcontinental shipping started in 1912 when it took 91 days for drivers to get a load from Pennsylvania to California. Over the years, fifth-wheel trailers, air-filled tires, expanded infrastructure, hours of service, e-commerce, and more would evolve trucking into the industry we know today. &nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>While these things are all necessary to move freight, we know drivers are the most valuable asset to the transportation industry. From food to automobiles, technology to disaster relief, and everything in between, drivers are essential to helping us meet our basic needs.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Driver Appreciation Week started as a way to give drivers the credit they deserve in the customer centric industry. As a profession, driving requires more sacrifices and strategy than the average career, including isolation, time away from loved ones, obstacles on the road, weather, customer pressure, maintaining equipment, and more.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Here are five practical ways we show drivers our appreciation throughout the year \u2014 and you can too!<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"ordered\":true} -->\n<ol><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Celebrate big wins<\/strong>. Whether it\u2019s a Million Miler achievement, birthday, anniversary, a child\u2019s graduation, or a new addition to the family, their wins are our wins. We always look for reasons to celebrate accomplishments through events, meals, physical gifts, and sometimes, special parking places.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Make Driver Appreciation Week a priority<\/strong>. This is just a single week out of the year, and we like to do it BIG by hosting events and giving gifts at each of our terminals throughout the week.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Touch base every day.<\/strong> Isolation can be hard, so our Operations team makes it a priority to reach out to each driver every day to check in, listen to their needs, and provide guidance where possible.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Performance gets paid.<\/strong> We have performance incentive programs that reward drivers who excel in safety and productivity, among other criteria.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><strong>Take care of co-pilots.<\/strong> Show some love to the four-legged companions who put in long hours on the road. We have turf dog areas at each of our terminals so dogs can stretch their legs and get some energy out.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ol>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>We\u2019re all grateful it doesn\u2019t take our order 91 days to arrive \u2014 and a big part of that is thanks to the drivers who work hard to keep our country rolling.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Let\u2019s do our part to pamper those who help us meet our basic needs.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Thanks, Drivers!<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:details -->\n<details class=\"wp-block-details\"><summary>More about Tracey Dover, Vice President of Driver Retention<\/summary><!-- wp:paragraph {\"placeholder\":\"Type \/ to add a hidden block\"} -->\n<p>Tracey\u2019s passion for trucking dates back to his childhood, when his father was a driver. Tracey started his own career in the industry in 1997, excelling in various roles through Operations, Customer Service, Planning, Sales, and Driver Retention. His experience and passion for drivers has paved a new culture for U.S. Xpress.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"placeholder\":\"Type \/ to add a hidden block\"} -->\n<p><img class=\"wp-image-237623\" style=\"width: 150px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.usxpress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Tracey-Dover_1.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/details>\n<!-- \/wp:details -->\n\n<!-- wp:columns -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\"><!-- wp:column {\"width\":\"100%\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\"><!-- wp:separator -->\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<!-- \/wp:separator -->\n\n<!-- wp:social-links -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-social-links\"><!-- wp:social-link {\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/USXpressDrivers\/\",\"service\":\"facebook\"} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:social-link {\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/us.xpressdrivers\/?hl=en\",\"service\":\"instagram\"} \/-->\n\n<!-- wp:social-link {\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/us-xpress\/\",\"service\":\"linkedin\"} \/--><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:social-links --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:column --><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:columns -->","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[21,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-237680","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drivers","category-our-people"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Navigating the transition to civilian life - U.S. Xpress Inc.<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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