For the third consecutive year, Kenworth has donated a T680 Advantage to the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence program recognizing the top rookie military veteran truck drivers.

In association with Fastport and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring our Heroes initiative, the award promotes military veterans who have made the transition from the U.S. Armed Forces into a career in trucking. Around 200,000 service members transition out of the military into the private sector every year, and the program is part of an outreach to veterans informing them of career opportunities within the trucking industry, according to Fastport President Brad Bently.

“Kenworth recognizes the importance of our veterans, and the donation of our on-highway flagship Kenworth T680 ... is one way to thank them for their military service,” said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director. “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.”

The donated T680 Advantage is equipped with a 76-inch sleeper, Paccar MX-13 engine with 455 hp, and a Paccar 40,000-pound tandem rear axle.

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 Jan. 1, 2017, and June 30, 2018.

“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.”