Thirteen Fort Bragg service members transitioning to civilian status after military duty graduated Friday in Fayetteville from a 384-hour commercial truck driving course.
NC Division of Motor Vehicles Deputy Director of Field Services Jim Semmens was the guest speaker. Semmens, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Major, told the group how this class is extremely important in providing job opportunities to those making the transition.
“This truck driving course is very important to us,” Semmens said. “It’s important that our troops come home not only to a welcoming state, but also to a state prepared to show them the way to a productive life after military service.”
The course is offered for only the cost of a five-year CDL driver license and is administered by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles through a grant from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Instructors are provided by Johnston Community College and Fayetteville Technical Community College.
Big rigs, as well as potential jobs after graduation, are provided by the North Carolina Trucking Association.
Friday’s graduating class is the ninth class to graduate from the Fort Bragg course, which is open to transitioning service members and their spouses.
The graduates were Mary Ellen Baity, Jesse Travis Bright, Roger Quincy Funderburk, Brian Wesley Gordon, Bossie Lofton Jr., Anthony Scott Marcus McGavock, Brian Clifton Moss, Ramon Berzelius Pereyra, Brian Keith Pope, Dylan Michael Schrader, Devon Michael Thieme, Mark Dallas Burbank and Stephen Kent Williamson.
