Arlington, Va. — Brandon Meredith, a former U.S. Army Sergeant First Class, stood at the American Trucking Associations headquarters on December 15 to accept the keys to a brand-new silver Kenworth T680 Signature Edition. The award, the culmination of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative, also included a full tuition scholarship to National University. Meredith, who has spent five deployments in uniform and earned a valor medal during a 2012 combat mission in Afghanistan, is now a tank truck driver for Slay Transportation in St. Louis. He plans to establish an owner-operator relationship with the carrier, leveraging the new vehicle and financial support to secure his long-term career in the industry.

The transition from military service to the highway is becoming a significant demographic shift for the sector. With the military producing disciplined, safety-focused candidates, trucking companies are increasingly looking beyond traditional civilian pools for their next generation of drivers. Meredith’s path was deliberate; while stationed near Fort Liberty, N.C., he obtained his commercial driver’s license through Fayetteville Technical Community College. This proactive preparation allowed him to move into a professional role immediately after separating from the Army. The Hiring Our Heroes program, now in its eighth year, has been central to this transition, working with partners like Fastport and Kenworth Truck Co. to identify and reward veterans who excel in transportation roles.

The specific vehicle awarded to Meredith is a high-specification unit designed for long-haul efficiency and driver comfort. It features a 76-inch sleeper cab, a 455-horsepower Paccar MX-13 engine, and a Paccar TX-12 automatic transmission. The truck represents the current state of technology in the fleet, incorporating advanced safety and telematics systems that are becoming standard for modern OTR truck driver expectations. Alongside the vehicle, the scholarship addresses a critical gap in veteran education, as Meredith had previously transferred his GI Bill benefits to his daughters to support their studies. This dual award structure addresses both the immediate operational needs of a professional driver and the long-term financial security of the veteran.

What This Means for Drivers

For CDL-A driver candidates with military backgrounds, this award underscores the tangible value that experienced carriers place on service members. The inclusion of a tuition scholarship signals that trucking companies are investing in the holistic development of their workforce, not just their driving skills. Owner-operator transitions, like the one Meredith is pursuing with Slay Transportation, offer a viable path to financial stability and independence that was previously difficult to achieve immediately after service. The growth in award candidates, which rose from 55 in the previous year to 74 this year, indicates a surge in qualified veterans entering the market, suggesting that truck driver jobs for veterans are becoming more competitive and highly sought-after. This trend may pressure carriers to offer more robust onboarding and retention packages to attract top-tier military talent.

Industry Reaction

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