Top Department of Defense (DOD) trucking companies for secure freight in 2026 include specialized carriers that meet strict DOD freight requirements, security expectations, team-driving standards, and high-stakes logistics demands.

Over my time as lease manager with Competitive Equipment Sales (CES), I've worked with countless CDL drivers at every stage of their truck driving journey. From first-time lease operators to more seasoned drivers, the questions are all pretty much the same: How does leasing a truck actually work? What should I expect from a lease-purchase program? How do contract terms differ?

With 70 years' experience in the trucking industry, Anderson Trucking Service (ATS) has seen it happen: good, dependable drivers switching carrier companies or hanging up their keys and leaving the trucking industry altogether. Sometimes it happens quietly, out of nowhere; other times, it's the result of pent-up, full-blown frustration. Regardless of how it happens, the fact is this: it happens way more often than people outside the trucking industry realize.

ATS driver experience and training requirements What you’ll haul: Freight and equipment types Pay and home time Pros and cons The Anderson Trucking Service (ATS) flatbed program is a structured driver training and development program that helps motivated over-the-road drivers build the skills needed to haul flatbed, step-deck, RGN, heavy haul, and high-value freight with Anderson Trucking Service. Hands-on flatbed securement training Support for drivers with little or no flatbed experience Competitive pay for company and lease drivers A long-term path from standard flatbed to oversized and heavy haul freight For the right kind of driver, flatbed offers challenge, variety, and real earning power. But if you’ve ever looked at a loaded step-deck and thought, “I’d love to learn how to handle that,” you’ve probably also wondered: Where do I even start?

Do you hear those jingle bells ringing?

The Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius wrote in his Meditations that "the universe is change." Change is a constant, and while exciting and full of promise, change comes with its own set of challenges, too.

If you've been feeling like your hard work isn't getting the pay or respect it deserves, you're not alone. Many truck drivers look at the industry's top-paying carriers and wonder what it takes to drive for them.

If you’ve been looking at truck driver incomes across different divisions and freight types, chances are you’ve probably come across Department of Defense (DOD) drivers. They make significantly more money than a lot of other drivers in the industry. In fact, teams at Anderson Trucking Service (ATS), are making upwards of $6,500 to $8,000 per week.

A truck driver referral program is a recruiting strategy where current CDL drivers recommend qualified candidates in exchange for bonuses, helping trucking companies improve hiring speed, strengthen fleet capacity, and increase driver retention.