Hauling freight for the Department of Defense (DOD) or military can be an extremely lucrative career path. You could be hauling equipment like aircraft engines, ambulance trucks, Blackhawk helicopters, tanks, cargo/troop carriers, cannons, and more.
So it only makes sense there are also a lot of hoops carriers and drivers alike have to go through to be able to haul high-security freight.
If you’re willing to go through all the hoops to get yourself approved to haul military freight, you want to work at a good company that’ll treat you right too.
Here at Anderson Trucking Service (ATS), we have a division, ATS Secure, dedicated to hauling freight for the DOD. Not only are we familiar with hauling freight for the DOD, but we also know all about the other carriers doing it too.
In this article, I’ll list the best carriers in the industry hauling government and military freight. You’ll understand what goes into getting approved to haul military freight and what steps you may need to take if you haven’t yet received your security clearance.
How to Get Military Loads in Trucking: Carriers and Drivers
Getting the security clearance required to haul transportation protective services freight (TPS) and arms, ammunition, and explosives (AA&E) isn’t an easy process and that’s why so few carriers can do it. It’s also not a simple process for drivers to go through.
When a carrier has the clearance required to do this, you know they have an extreme dedication to doing a good job and doing it properly.
Carriers
Carriers have to go through an extensive clearance process with the DOD, so when they’re approved and have been hauling freight for the DOD for decades, you know they’re dedicated, professional, and not cutting any corners.
To even become considered for a security clearance to haul DOD freight, a carrier needs to be sponsored by a customer. Once a carrier is sponsored, carriers are audited to ensure their systems and processes are in place to meet federal Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations.
A lot of paperwork is involved and it can take years to receive the clearance to work with the DOD as a carrier.
Drivers
Drivers hauling TPS and AA&E require a security clearance that can be accessed by filling out the Standard Form 86 (or SF-86). It’s a comprehensive background check process that takes hours to fill out.
Drivers are expected to provide information on everything from their finances and work history to details about their friends and family. When officers review a driver’s information, they’re looking to ensure that the driver doesn’t have ties to other countries that could sabotage their work with the DOD.
Related: Find out what else could prevent you from receiving security clearance
6 Best Trucking Companies That Haul Military Freight
It takes a lot of work to earn the security clearance to haul military freight for the DOD. These are some of the best carriers you can work with to haul freight for the DOD.
- Bennett Motor Express
- Tri-State
- Landstar System
- Boyle Transportation
- Baggett Transport
- Prestera Trucking
Bennett Motor Express
Founded: 1974
Headquarters: McDonough, Georgia
Insight: Bennett Motor Express is consistently ranked as one of the top specialized carriers. It’s also well-known that they proudly provide government transportation services. They serve the U.S. Transportation Command (USTranscom), Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC), the DOD, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In fact, they’ve been recognized by the National Defense Transportation Association (NTDA).
They’ve been approved as a carrier to haul Constant Surveillance Service (CIS), Dual-Driver Protective Service (DDP), Extra Driver (EXD), Protective Security Service (PSS), Satellite Motor Surveillance Services (SNS), Security Escort Vehicle (SEV), and Defense Transportation Tracking System (DTTS) Trailer Tracking Service (DCS).
As a team driver, you’ll have the opportunity to transport hazardous materials, high-security freight, and AA&E using the following equipment:
- Dry van
- Flatbed
- Removable gooseneck (RGN)
- Side kits
- Step decks
- Twist locks
- Double drops
- Lowboys
If you’re considering driving for Bennett, there are several potential benefits to keep in mind. For one, Bennett provides competitive pay rates and benefits packages for its drivers. Bennett also strives to create a supportive company culture that fosters respect and open communication, which can help drivers feel valued and supported.
Tri-State
Founded: 1931
Headquarters: Phoenix, Arizona
Insight: Tri-State, a leader in high-security transportation, was founded in 1931. Tri-State aims to conduct business “the right way,” which means they highly value dignity and respect. The company values its drivers and strives to create a positive company culture that emphasizes safety, respect, and professionalism.
Tri-State offers driver opportunities for both company drivers and owner-operators.
They have 1,500 dry van and flatbed trailers and 800 background or government-secured drivers. Their on-time delivery rate is 99.7 percent and they have 100 percent U.S. and Canada coverage and Mexico border crossing.
Tri-State has been approved by the DOD and Department of Energy (DOE) for DDP, CIS, PSS, EXD, SNS, SEV, and DCS.
Landstar System
Founded: 1968
Headquarters: Jacksonville, Florida
Insight: Landstar is a large carrier with options for van, flatbed, and heavy haul drivers. Landstar doesn’t widely publish what type of freight they haul for the DOD, but they’re committed to national defense transportation. In fact, they serve as one of the largest truckload capacity providers for the DOD.
Landstar provides domestic surface transportation services including less-than-truckload (LTL), express, and heavy or specialized services. Additionally, they also serve as an air carrier for the DOD. They haul TPS and AA&E.
Landstar has additional qualification requirements for their drivers. While the DOD only requires carriers to train AA&E drivers upon entry into the company’s program, Landstar requires AA&E refresher course attendance every two years.
Landstar’s high standards have given them high ratings consistently during Defense Security Services (DSS) inspections.
Boyle Transportation
Founded: 1971
Headquarters: Billerica, Massachusetts
Insight: Boyle Transportation may be a small carrier, but they’ve been recognized by the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) as a great carrier to drive for. They’ve been named in the 2022 Best Fleets to Drive For Hall of Fame as well.
Boyle handles classified shipments and provides protective services for the government and defense sector — which also opens them up to haul highly-sensitive shipments for other customers.
Specifically, their capabilities include DTTS, CIS, DDP, PSS, SNS, DCS, and SEV.
Baggett Transport
Founded: 1928
Headquarters: Birmingham, Alabama
Insight: Baggett Transport is one of the oldest and most trusted carriers providing services to the DOD. They started as a local carrier working with nearby coal companies to haul dynamite.
In the 1930s during World War II, Bagget hauled explosives and munitions for the Department of War (which later became the DOD). At that time, they still also did LTL business. They stopped doing that in 1976 to focus on serving the DOD.
They work with owner-operators and company drivers and they have lease purchase options for teams. Of course, you have to have the appropriate credentials (government security clearance and a HAZMAT endorsement).
There are many great benefits of working with Baggett Transportation to haul DOD freight, including large sign-on bonuses, no trailer rental fees for owner-operators, and only a $1 balloon payment at the end of a lease.
Prestera Trucking
Founded: 1960s
Headquarters: South Point, Ohio
Insight: Prestera’s operation was originally located in Virginia and they primarily served the Virginia intrastate market. The Radford Army Ammunition Plant in Radford, Virginia was their main customer. In the 1980s, they got the authority to service all 48 states.
By 1991, Prestera was acting as a specialized carrier for the DOD, a nod to the company’s backbone.
Today, Prestera continues to serve the DOD nationwide. Because they’ve been doing this for three decades, their workforce is mighty. They have long-tenured people who know what they’re doing.
They currently have about 40 teams of van drivers.
Haul Military Freight with ATS Secure
Hauling military freight can be a rewarding and lucrative career path, but it also comes with stringent requirements and security clearances. Selecting the right trucking company is crucial for drivers aiming to haul government and military freight.
In this article, we explored some of the best carriers in the industry for hauling military cargo. These companies, including Bennett Motor Express, Tri-State, Landstar System, Boyle Transportation, Baggett Transport, and Prestera Trucking, have undergone rigorous clearance processes and have proven track records in serving the DOD. They offer a range of equipment and services, ensuring the safe and efficient transportation of high-security and sensitive materials.
When considering a career in hauling military freight, partnering with a reputable company ensures not only financial success but also a supportive and respectful work environment. It's important to do your own research and evaluate any potential job opportunity carefully to determine if it's the right fit for you.
ATS is veteran-owned and a proud supporter of the military. We’ve worked with the DOD for a long time and received our clearance to haul TPS freight in 2021. We can also haul AA&E.
Team drivers have the option to sign on as company drivers or independent contractors. We offer a lease program as well.
To learn more about your options with ATS, contact us or fill out an application today.
