Finalists for the 11th annual “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” award were recently announced by Kenworth Truck Company, Fastport, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes program.

This distinguished award celebrates military veterans who have successfully transitioned into professional truck driving careers. After a thorough nomination and review process that culminates in a final public vote, the program will honor and reward America's top rookie military veteran drivers.

In Ohio last week, 11 semi-finalists, the “Elite 11”, were distinguished guests at a recognition dinner held at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus. The following day, the Kenworth truck manufacturing plant in Chillicothe hosted the event where finalists were announced, along with an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Kenworth's flagship manufacturing facility.

While in Columbus, the drivers sat for interviews with the award program and recorded their stories for the museum's StoryCorps archive.

This year's class is the most senior in the program's history, with six of the 11 semi-finalists leaving service at E-7 or above, including two sergeants major.

Registered Apprenticeship again shaped the field: 60% of the nominations received came from drivers who are completing or have completed a U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship program, and five of the Elite 11 are apprentices today.

This Year’s Finalists

Finalists for 2026 are:

Mohammad Arzola, U.S. Marine Corps (E-9), Patriot Group International

Sergeant Major Mohammad “Mo” Arzola enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1997 and served 27 years as a machine gunner, drill instructor, and senior enlisted leader, with assignments including 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Raider Battalion, and multiple aviation commands as squadron sergeant major. He deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, earning the Purple Heart and the Combat Action Ribbon. A San Antonio native, Arzola graduated from California Career Schools and logged more than 100,000 safe miles to earn the Spirit of HEB Award before driving for Patriot Group International.

Monica Brooks-Buck, U.S. Army (E-7), Werner Enterprises

Monica Brooks-Buck is a retired U.S. Army veteran with nearly 25 years of service, including more than 20 years in logistics as a 92Y supply specialist and an Army master driver. She graduated from the Truck Driver Institute in Saucier, Mississippi, and joined Werner Enterprises in September 2025, where she is a registered apprentice in the Werner Enterprises Truck Driver Apprenticeship. Brooks-Buck drives as part of a professional team with her husband while pursuing studies in information technology. She belongs to the Women In Trucking Association and Disabled American Veterans.

Daniel Doss, U.S. Air Force (E-5), Melton Truck Lines

Staff Sergeant Daniel Doss was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 2015, serving 10 years as a fuels specialist. He supported humanitarian relief operations following Hurricane Michael, served on the Base Honor Guard rendering final military honors to veterans, and led fuel operations and maintenance teams stateside and on deployment to the United Arab Emirates. Doss graduated from Troops Into Transportation at Fort Benning and joined Melton Truck Lines in September 2025, where he drives flatbed as a registered apprentice. He and his wife have three children.

Brandon Ward, U.S. Navy (E-8), Werner Enterprises

Senior Chief Petty Officer Brandon Ward retired twice before he ever climbed into a Class 8 truck. He served more than 22 years in the U.S. Navy as a Master-at-Arms and Expeditionary Warfare Specialist, then built a senior career with the Department of Homeland Security, where he served as a hiring official and sat on recruitment teams that brought transitioning service members into the federal workforce. Ward graduated from Roadmaster Drivers School in Orlando in September 2025 and joined Werner Enterprises later that month as a registered apprentice. A husband and father, he continues to mentor veterans through their own transitions.

Gary W. Williams, U.S. Army (E-9), Stevens Transport

Command Sergeant Major Gary W. Williams served 31 years in the U.S. Army as a leader, a medic and a mentor, retiring as a Chief Medical NCO. He graduated from Southern Careers Institute in January 2026 and joined Stevens Transport weeks later, where he has built a stellar safety record and taken to the autonomy and accountability the job demands. Soldiers he once led still call him for advice, and he makes himself available to them. Williams supports the Travis Manion Foundation, turning out for its walks, marches and hikes.

2026 Finalists Represent Four Branches

The five finalists represent four branches of the U.S. Armed Forces: the Army, the Navy, the Marine Corps and the Air Force.

Grand Prize: Kenworth T680

Under the “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” recognition program, Kenworth will provide the grand prize for the 11th consecutive year. This year's award is a T680 equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and the Paccar Powertrain featuring the Paccar MX-13 engine, Paccar TX-12 automated transmission, and Paccar DX-40 tandem rear axles.

The T680 also includes the latest in driver assistance systems, including Kenworth's DigitalVision Mirrors, Bendix Fusion Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Stop and Auto Go, and Lane Keeping Assist with Torque Assisted Steering. The 76-inch sleeper features a Diamond VIT interior in charcoal with high-quality leather driver and passenger seats with titanium accents that are fully heated and cooled. The Kenworth T680 also includes the latest in driver amenities, including a factory-installed refrigerator, a rotating work table, and space for the everyday conveniences that bring the comforts of home to the road.

While the grand prize winner will drive away in a state-of-the-art Kenworth T680 truck, the program also ensures every finalist is recognized. The runner-up will receive a $10,000 award and the remaining finalists will each receive a $5,000 prize, underscoring the program's commitment to the success of all honorees who served and are excelling in the commercial trucking industry.

All five finalists and the overall winner will also receive prize packs from Road Dog Care Co., OOIDA, and Truck Parking Club.

Recognizing the Finalists & Naming a Winner

All five finalists will travel to the United States Military Academy at West Point in December as guests of the program, taking part in a slate of experiences built around the Veteran Ready Summit ahead of the winner announcement.

“These five finalists carry the leadership and judgment that define a military career into the driver's seat, and they have done it in their first year on the road. Celebrating the accomplishments of this elite group is a special honor each year, and we look forward to awarding the keys to the grand prize Kenworth T680 truck to this year's winner at West Point,” said Sarah Abernethy, Kenworth's director of marketing communications.

“The Transition Trucking award campaign continues to spotlight the extraordinary contributions veterans are making in the transportation industry,” said Eric Eversole, president of Hiring Our Heroes and a vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “These five finalists show transitioning service members exactly what a trucking career can offer, and how quickly it can be built.”

“This is the most senior group of drivers we have ever put in front of the selection committee, and more of them came to us through Registered Apprenticeship than in any year prior. Our five finalists are still serving their country, just with a different set of keys,” said Brad Bentley, president of Fastport.

The Transition Trucking contest continues to serve as a beacon for veteran drivers, showcasing the incredible opportunities available within the trucking industry. Public voting for the award will be held from Nov. 1 through Veterans Day, Nov. 11, and will be an important factor in the Selection Committee's final deliberations. The final winner will be revealed on Dec. 15 at the Veteran Ready Summit at the United States Military Academy at West Point.