Kenworth Donates T680 Advantage 76-inch Sleeper in Support of the 2018 “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” Award

Kenworth, FASTPORT and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring our Heroes initiative are joining together for the third consecutive year to promote the trucking industry and discover America’s top rookie military veteran driver, who has made the transition from military service in the U.S. Armed Forces to driving for a commercial fleet.

Under the “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” recognition program, Kenworth will again provide the top award – a Kenworth T680 Advantage equipped with a 76-inch sleeper, PACCAR MX-13 455-hp fuel-efficient engine and PACCAR 40,000-lb tandem rear axle.

Kenworth T680 Advantage

“Kenworth recognizes the importance of our veterans, and the donation of our on-highway flagship Kenworth T680 – the Driver’s Truck – is one way to thank them for their military service. We encourage those transitioning from military service to consider the trucking industry as their future career, and urge fleets in America to nominate their best drivers who have served to protect our country,” said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director.

“About 200,000 service members transition out of the military into the private sector annually. A key part of FASTPORT’s mission is to inform veterans about the trucking industry’s excellent career opportunities. We also like to showcase the best equipment available, and the Kenworth T680 Advantage is certainly a quality truck that receives much attention from our military community,” said Brad Bentley, president of FASTPORT.

“Hiring Our Heroes helped more than 16,000 new veterans make the transition into trucking last year,” said Eric Eversole, U.S. Chamber of Commerce vice president and Hiring Our Heroes president. “The 2018 ‘Transition Trucking’ award campaign is another opportunity to highlight the impact veterans are making in the transportation industry and introduce a new generation of veterans to the real economic opportunity a career in trucking can represent.”

The top driver will be determined by an expert panel of judges. To qualify, drivers must meet four eligibility requirements:

-- Must have been active military or member of the National Guard or Reserve.
-- Graduated from PTDI-certified, NAPFTDS or CVTA member driver training school, with a valid CDL.
-- Employed by a trucking company that has made a hiring commitment and pledge to hire veterans on the Trucking Track Mentoring Program website (www.truckingtrack.org).
-- First hired in a trucking position between January 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018.

Nominations begin March 15 and will be accepted until June 30, 2018. Full criteria and online nomination forms can be found on the “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” website (www.transitiontrucking.org).

Hiring Our Heroes hosts nearly 100 hiring events for service members, veterans, and military spouses throughout the year, with veteran hiring fairs slated to take place this year on military bases and at professional sports venues in cities with a high population of veterans. The Kenworth T680 Advantage will be on display at selected events to inform and inspire those considering a possible career in trucking. For more information, visit the websites of Fastport (www.fastport.com) and Hiring Our Heroes (http://www.HiringOurHeroes.org).

Kenworth is The Driver’s Truck™. See what drivers are saying at www.kenworth.com/drivers.

Kenworth Truck Company is the manufacturer of The World’s Best® heavy and medium duty trucks. Kenworth’s Internet home page is at www.kenworth.com. Kenworth is a PACCAR company.