For Veterans & Transitioning Service Members

You Served Your Country. Now Build a Career That Serves You in 10 Weeks.

Class A CDL and Heavy Equipment Operator certification, fully covered by your VA benefits.

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VA-Approved  •  Since 1998  •  20,000+ Graduates  •  500+ Reviews

Are you looking for training that sets you up for success in the industry? Watch this video to hear why North Country is the heavy equipment school of choice for veterans.

Two Versions of 10 Weeks From Now

With the Complete Operator System:

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You walk out with two stackable credentials — Class A CDL and heavy equipment certification — in 10 weeks flat

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Your VA benefits cover tuition. You owe nothing out of pocket. You still have most of your GI Bill left for later

✓

Your first paycheck as a dual-certified operator puts you in the $60K–$90K range — no contract, no carrier lock-in

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You have a clear mission again. Your skills transferred. Your family knows what's next

Without it:

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You drove 5-ton trucks downrange but still don't have a civilian credential employers will accept

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You sign with a carrier-sponsored CDL program and get locked into 18–24 months at below-market pay

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Your skills test waiver window closes and the easy path to your CDL goes with it

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Another year passes and you're still in the same spot

If You Have Any of These VA Benefits, Keep Reading

Both Midwest Truck Driving School and North Country Heavy Equipment School are VA-approved. Most veterans qualify under one of the following.

Post-9/11 GI Bill (Ch 33)  •  Montgomery GI Bill (Ch 30)
VR&E / Chapter 31  •  VET TEC
Survivors & Dependents (Ch 35)  •  State Veteran Programs

Not sure which benefit applies to you? That's the most common question we get.
Call (906) 789-6311 and our team will help you explore your options.

Here's Exactly What Your VA Benefits Cover

Full Tuition

For most qualified veterans, the Post-9/11 GI Bill covers 100% of tuition for both the CDL and heavy equipment portions of the program. Your out-of-pocket cost is $0.

Housing & Living Stipend

Most veterans on the Post-9/11 GI Bill receive a Monthly Housing Allowance (BAH) while in training. We also help out-of-state students with lodging logistics in Escanaba so the 10 weeks aren't a financial squeeze.

Dual Certification

Class A CDL plus NCCER & OSHA-recognized heavy equipment credentials. Most schools give you one. We give you both — in just 10 weeks — so you walk out as employable as possible.

GI Bill Preservation

The Post-9/11 GI Bill gives you 36 months of benefits. This program uses about 2.5. That leaves 33+ months for a degree later — on your terms, paid for by the career you already started.

Who Qualifies?

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Veterans, active duty separating within 180 days, National Guard, and Reservists

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Eligible for at least one VA education or workforce benefit (we help you confirm which)

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21 years or older (DOT requirement for interstate CDL work)

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Able to pass a DOT physical and standard background check

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Available for the full 10-week cohort in Escanaba, MI

Zero experience required. Most of our students have never operated a piece of heavy equipment before day one. Your military background is a head start — not a prerequisite.

3 Steps. That's It.

1

Fill Out the Form Below

Tell us a little about your service and your goals so we can match you to the right benefits.

2

Book a Call With Admissions

Our admissions team will walk you through your benefits, the program, and the next cohort start date. No pressure. No obligation. No sales pitch.

3

Lock In Your Seat

We help you submit the VA paperwork and reserve your spot in the next cohort. Cohorts cap at 16 students — first paperwork in, first seats taken.

VA paperwork is confusing on purpose. You shouldn't have to navigate it alone.

And with our team, you won't.

The Full Program Overview

One 10-week program. Two stackable certifications. Built with veterans in mind.

Veteran student operating heavy equipment and Class A semi truck on the training course

Duration

10 weeks

Credentials

CDL + HEO

Class Size

16 max

Salary Range

$60K–$90K

What's Included

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Class A CDL training — hands-on driving, manual transmissions, 1:4 instructor ratio

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Heavy equipment operation — excavators, dozers, loaders, backhoes, skid steers, and more

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Level 1 & 2 NCCER + OSHA-10 credentials — nationally recognized, employer-respected

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VA benefits navigation — we handle the paperwork side with you

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Job placement support — employer connections in trucking, construction, and infrastructure

Check My Eligibility →

A School That's Been Doing This Since 1998

VA-approved. Nationally credentialed. Over two decades of graduates on the road and on the job site.

27+

Years training skilled operators

20,000+

Graduates since 1998

600+

Five-star Google reviews

★★★★★
MVAA Veteran-Friendly School Gold Award 2025-2026

Gold-Level Veteran-Friendly School

Recognized by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (2025–2026)

Gold is the MVAA's highest tier — awarded to schools that go beyond basic compliance to actively support veteran students through enrollment, training, and career placement.

Also Approved & Accredited By

VA-Approved Training Provider  •  NCCER Accredited  •  OSHA-Aligned Curriculum  •  FMCSA-Registered CDL Training Provider

Hear From Our Graduates

Still Have Questions?

Both schools are VA-approved. Most veterans use the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), but Montgomery GI Bill (Ch 30), VR&E (Ch 31), VET TEC, and Survivors & Dependents (Ch 35) all may apply. Not sure which one fits you? That's exactly what the call is for.

No. Veterans come to us from all over the country. The campus is in Escanaba, MI. We help out-of-state students with lodging logistics, and most veterans on the Post-9/11 GI Bill receive a Monthly Housing Allowance during training to offset the cost.

No — and this is one of the things most veterans don't realize. The Post-9/11 GI Bill gives you 36 months of benefits. This program uses about 2.5 months. You walk out with two credentials and 33+ months of GI Bill remaining for a degree later if you want one.

Carrier-sponsored programs lock you into a 12–24 month contract at below-market pay. Leave early and you owe the money back. This program has no contract, no employer obligation, and you walk out with two credentials — not one. You work where you want, for who you want, at market rate.

No. Most students arrive with zero civilian operating experience. If you operated trucks or equipment in service, you may also qualify for the Military Skills Test Waiver if you're within 12 months of separation. We'll check during your call.

Cohorts run on a rolling schedule and cap at 16 students. VA paperwork can take 4–6 weeks to process, so the sooner you start the conversation, the sooner you're in a seat. We'll tell you the next available start date on your call.

We have employer relationships across trucking, construction, infrastructure, and utility work. With dual certification you'll have more job options than a CDL-only graduate — not fewer.

Our admissions team reaches out to schedule a quick call. They walk you through your benefits, answer questions, and — if you're a fit — help you start the VA paperwork to lock in your seat. No pressure, no obligation.