The Final Five
Five veterans. Four branches. More than a century in uniform between them — and a first year on the road that put them here.
The most senior class in the program’s history.
Kenworth Truck Company, Fastport and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program have named the five finalists for the 11th annual Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence award, which honors America’s top rookie military veteran driver.
The five were selected from the Elite 11 semi-finalists, who were recognized at a dinner at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus before the announcement at Kenworth’s Chillicothe manufacturing plant the following day. Registered Apprenticeship again shaped the field: 60% of this year’s nominations came from drivers completing or having completed a U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship.
Our five finalists are still serving their country, just with a different set of keys.Brad Bentley, President, Fastport
Five drivers, one first year on the road
The road to December 15
America votes
Public voting opens November 1 and closes on Veterans Day. The result is an important factor in the Selection Committee’s final deliberations.
West Point
All five finalists travel to the United States Military Academy as guests of the program, for a slate of experiences built around the Veteran Ready Summit.
The keys are handed over
The winner is revealed at the close of the Veteran Ready Summit and drives away in a Kenworth T680 with a 76-inch sleeper and the PACCAR Powertrain. The runner-up receives $10,000; each remaining finalist receives $5,000.
America helps decide who takes the keys.
Voting runs November 1 through Veterans Day, November 11, at transitiontrucking.org.
Vote for a Finalist