Jeff Stoffer, Director of Media and Communications for the American Legion, joined the Amercia’s Work Force Union Podcast and explained how Task Force Movement is partnering with the Teamsters Union to help veterans obtain CDLs. He also spoke about work by the Legion to help veterans receive their disability benefits.
Created by the federal government, Task Force Movement combats growing unemployment and underemployment issues for transitioning service members, veterans and their families. Task Force Movement works to bridge the gap between policy and the pavement by creating pathways to connect military families with good-paying, family-sustaining careers in different fields. One area of focus for Task Force Movement is to increase the number of truck drivers in the transportation industry, Stoffer said. TFM is working with bases to provide Commercial Driver’s License training to service members as they begin to transition back into civilian life.
At Fort Riely, the Teamsters have made it a priority to help service members earn their CDLs. In recent years, this base has embraced the effort to provide career training to service members prior to their transition out of the military, Stoffer said. The Teamsters not only help them obtain a CDL, but work to connect veterans with responsible employers who provide good healthcare, livable wages and retirement benefits.
Since the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 was signed into law, more than a half million new veterans have applied for disability. Veterans who believe they are entitled to benefits under the PACT Act have until Aug. 9 to apply. With time running out to apply, the American Legion has teamed up with Certified Service Officers to help build veterans' cases. In 2022, these officers helped veterans receive a record of $16.3 billion in benefits. This year, these officers have assisted over 1 million veterans, and Stoffer expects to set a new record.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more.