uberMILITARY is a unique service that provides affordable and convenient transportation for members of the armed forces.
uberMILITARY operates just like the regular Uber app, but is exclusively for transportation to and from military bases.
In this blog post, we’ll explain how uberMILITARY works, what the pricing is like and how to request a ride.
We hope you find this information helpful!
Thank you for your service.
Table Of Contents
What is UberMILITARY?
Uber is a multinational corporation that launched in 2009 with the singular goal of getting people rides faster.
As the smartphone became the engine by which the world seemed to turn, Uber took advantage of the moment and created a system that exploded.
With the innovation of UberMILITARY, Uber is now moving into new territory.
The company has always strived to be socially conscious in its efforts.
Introducing UberMILITARY in 2014, Uber turned its attention to military families and finding ways to serve them in their civilian life.
UberMILITARY is a sign-up program that encourages veterans, service members, and military spouses to work as drivers for Uber.
How Does UberMILITARY Work?
UberMILITARY focuses on providing opportunities for service members, past and present, to make a little extra money on their own and on their terms.
Since veteran drivers tend to get higher driver ratings, it’s natural that Uber would want more of them to transport an Uber rider.
UberMILITARY has made it easy for military members to sign on as drivers, offering perks, rewards, discounts, and many other incentives.
Most military members choose to drive for Uber to earn a secondary source of income, and Uber does everything it can to make that decision a profitable one.
As an incentive, the UberMILITARY Advisory Board committed to donating $1 million to organizations that support veterans and their families.
UberMILITARY partners with the Department of Defense to encourage more military members to sign up.
And UberMILITARY has expanded the program to include rides to and from military installations.
Where Is UberMILITARY Available?
As of 2016, 175 partner cities in the United States participated in the UberMILITARY program.
While a comprehensive list of those cities is not currently available, there are a few that we can list off the bat:
- San Francisco
- New York City
- Honolulu
- Oklahoma City
- Raleigh
- San Antonio
- Tucson
- San Diego
As UberMILITARY continues to offer unique opportunities to military members around the United States, the number of cities will continue to grow.
UberMILITARY is also available for giving rides to and from some select military bases.
For example, in places like Tucson and Honolulu, a driver with the proper access can get military personnel directly to their base.
Access is the key in this situation.
Without proper access, it would be impossible for Uber drivers to get on the base.
However, Uber is constantly working to ensure they have drivers with the appropriate access on hand.
Who Is Eligible for UberMILITARY?
UberMILITARY caters to military personnel of all kinds.
Afghanistan veterans, National Guard, US Air Force members, military spouses, and veterans adjusting to civilian life are encouraged to apply.
Since the military community is more likely to acquire proper base access, it serves Uber’s interests to bring on as many service members as possible for their drivers.
Military members also tend to make better drivers.
Riders feel more secure when they know their driver is a veteran or service member.
1. Service Members
Current service members are eligible to work for UberMILITARY.
Since many drivers work part-time, it’s easy for active-duty military personnel to pick up a few gigs when they are home or on leave.
2. Veterans
A military base is not easy to access, but veterans make good drivers because base access is a little easier for them.
It’s also more likely that they know their way around.
And with the veteran referral program that Uber makes available, more veterans may soon be driving for the company.
In 2016, Uber announced a program that offers bonuses for any veteran referrals.
Emil Michael, the senior vice president of business in 2016, touted the program as an excellent opportunity for veterans to transition into civilian life.
3. Military Spouses
Military spouses can take part in Uber’s initiative to bring the military and Uber together as partners, which means that military spouses can work for Uber with the same incentives as other military community members.
According to Dr. Robert Gates, a volunteer chairman on the UberMILITARY Advisory Board, the company is committed to providing economic opportunity and flexibility to military members across the board.
Military spouses get to be a part of this movement.
One way that Uber wants to honor them is by offering riders the opportunity to know if their driver is a veteran or military spouse.
In a Veterans Day announcement in 2016, Uber stated its decision to honor and remember service members in this way.
How Much Do You Make Driving for UberMILITARY?
Like Uber, UberMILITARY bases its pay for drivers on the number of rides that a driver completes.
So you could drive all day and make significantly more than someone who only completes one or two rides.
You can check the Uber app for specific rates if you’re considering working with UberMILITARY, but as a general rule, you can pay anywhere from $10 to $20 per hour of driving.
If you become a full-time driver with Uber, you are reasonably poised to make a decent yearly salary.
Some report as high as $130,000 in a year.
But if you’re looking for something more part-time, you can expect your pay to be much lower.
Suggested Read: How much do Uber drivers make?
How to Sign Up for UberMILITARY
Signing up for UberMILITARY is similar to signing up as a regular Uber driver.
There are a few expectations concerning your driving history.
Otherwise, it’s a reasonably straightforward process.
They will ask if you already have a car.
Owning a car is much better than working with Uber to get a car after you apply.
It can save you money in the long run if you already have a vehicle.
When you apply for UberMILITARY, let them know if someone referred you.
If a veteran buddy referred you, they want to know so they can get you the proper discounts and perks.
Requirements
It’s not that difficult to become a driver with Uber.
They only ask that you meet the minimum driver requirements.
That means you have to be at least 21 years old and be legally allowed to drive in the country.
You will have to complete an online screening survey that will ask questions about your driving record and criminal history.
And once you’re signed up, you need to make sure you keep some important documents in the car with you at all times:
- Driver’s license
- Vehicle registration
- Proof of insurance
- Safety Standards Certificate (SSC)
- Uber sticker
Keeping these documents with you in your car will make life easier for everyone in the event of an emergency.
Application Process
The application process is relatively straightforward.
If you’ve applied for jobs in the past, you probably have a pretty good idea of Uber’s application process.
Although you will have to take that online screening, there’s nothing remarkably different.
When you apply, you can check your vehicle against any local vehicle guidelines that might be in place.
Some cities have their requirements for cars.
Once you sign up, you’ll have the opportunity to check these against your vehicle.
Step by Step Instructions
Signing up for UberMILITARY is incredibly easy.
- Sign up online
- Sign up to drive
- Share pertinent documents
- Add vehicle information
- Activate your account
- Bring your car in for inspection
Again, let them know if you’re interested in the veteran referral program.
Or if the veteran referral program is how you heard about UberMILITARY, tell them that when you sign up.
How Much Does UberMILITARY Cost?
The Uber app can give you a more detailed breakdown of how much it costs to ride with UberMILITARY.
However, we can tell you that it doesn’t cost more than a regular Uber.
The length of the trip determines rates for Uber.
That means they might change depending on where you’re going or traffic patterns.
How to Request an UberMILITARY
Requesting an UberMILITARY is quite simple.
Within the Uber app, you can:
- Enter your destination
- Find a car ride option that best suits you
- Use the product slider tool to find UberMILITARY
- Request driver
UberMILITARY: Final Thoughts
UberMILITARY is a stunning program that links military members with money-making opportunities.
Uber is constantly refining the program to ensure drivers are treated well, making working with Uber an excellent choice if you served or currently serve in the military.
