WASHINGTON, D.C. — Public voting is officially underway for the annual Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award, highlighting military veterans who successfully transitioned into professional commercial driving. The program, which aims to spotlight excellence among former service members behind the wheel, accepts ballots online through Veterans Day on November 11.

This initiative represents a collaborative effort involving the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program alongside Kenworth Truck Company and Fastport. Organizers created the award to draw attention to the vital skills veterans bring to the transportation sector, helping tackle persistent driver shortages while honoring those who served the country.

The selection process gives industry peers, fleet managers, and the general public a direct voice in determining the eventual winner of the premier prize package. Voters can review the finalists and cast their ballots directly at TransitionTrucking.org/vote before the November 11 deadline closes the polls.

What This Means for Drivers

For CDL-A driver candidates and owner-operator professionals with military backgrounds, this award underscores the strong alignment between tactical service skills and commercial freight operations. Many trucking companies actively recruit former service members because of their disciplined approach to safety, equipment maintenance, and hours-of-service compliance. Recognizing top veteran talent elevates the profile of the entire profession and encourages more major carriers to establish targeted military hiring pathways.

Industry Reaction

Industry stakeholders consistently emphasize that military veterans make exceptional professional drivers due to their familiarity with heavy logistics, rigorous safety standards, and long-haul endurance. Programs like Hiring Our Heroes bridge the gap between military separation and stable civilian careers, offering dependable paths for OTR truck driver positions across the United States. As major fleets continue searching for reliable talent, highlighting veteran success stories remains a proven method for attracting dedicated operators to the highway.

Key Points

• Online voting runs from November 1 through November 11.
• The award recognizes outstanding military veterans transitioning into commercial trucking.
• Partners include Hiring Our Heroes, Kenworth Truck Company, and Fastport.
• Votes can be cast online at the official TransitionTrucking.org/vote portal.

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