Kenworth, Fastport and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative recently partnered in the search for America’s top rookie military veteran driver who made the successful transition to the trucking industry following military service.
The program is called Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award, and this year’s award is a Kenworth T680 Signature Edition Anniversary truck equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and the PACCAR Powertrain featuring the PACCAR MX-13 engine rated at 455 horsepower, PACCAR TX-12 automated transmission and PACCAR DX-40 tandem rear axles, according to the company.
The T680 Signature Edition Diamond VIT features a black onyx grille and side air intake, and Kenworth 100 badges on the sleeper. The truck is painted in Century Platinum Metallic signature paint and features specially designed anniversary wheels in black. It has black interior with legacy red stitching accents throughout the cab and sleeper. The package also includes Kenworth 100 branded GT703 seats with red accents, special brushed platinum dash and door trim, and Kenworth 100 logo stitched into the sleeper back wall, the company’s press release noted.
The top driver will be determined by an expert panel of judges. To qualify, drivers must meet eligibility requirements as specified in the official Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award rules, including:
- Be a legal resident of the continental United States and military veteran or current/former member of the National Guard or Reserves.
- Graduated from PTDI-certified, NAPFTDS or CVTA member driver training school, with a valid CDL.
- Have been employed by any for-hire carrier or private fleet that has pledged to hire veterans, and hired as a CDL driver after January 1, 2022.
The top 10 semi-finalists will be announced on September 1. Finalists will be invited to Columbus, Ohio to tour the National Veterans Memorial and Museum and attend a reception, followed by a tour of the Kenworth Chillicothe manufacturing plant and MHC Road Ready Center, where the top three finalists will be announced. Public voting of the three finalists will begin October 27 and continue for two weeks. On December 15, finalists will gather at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce where the final award announcement will be made, and the company notes that the winner will drive home in the Kenworth T680 Signature Edition.
