GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Schneider National has launched a new program aimed at turning veteran military personnel into professional owner-operators.

In conjunction with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Owner-Operator Program for military veterans returning to the workforce post-deployment, will provide such individuals the training, mentoring, financial incentives and purchasing power necessary to become owner-operator truck drivers.

Under the new program, Schneider will offer veterans the opportunity to have their training subsidized, using their GI Bill benefits to cover the cost of commercial driver's licence training at Schneider's Driver Training Academies.

In addition, Schneider will work closely with vets to provide technical support so they will be able to become owner-operators six months sooner than prospective owner-operators with no military background.

"Service men and women are dedicated team players who get the job done," said Mark Rourke, president of Schneider National Truckload. "Many share Schneider's core values and have done work that sets them up for success as professional truck drivers and business owners. By becoming owner-operators with Schneider, veterans are able to work as their own bosses with a company that respects and values their past experience and is committed to safety and their ongoing success."