A Van Buren transportation company is creating new pathways for military veterans transitioning to civilian careers, offering an innovative dual compensation program that addresses one of the most challenging aspects of leaving active duty service. USA Truck recently unveiled its Military Apprenticeship Program, a two year initiative developed in partnership with FASTPORT that targets high demand positions for professional drivers and sel technicians while providing unprecedented financial security during the critical transition period.
Under the program, eligible transitioning service members will receive their full Military Housing Allowance stipend, typically valued at approximately $1,600 per month, directly from the military while simultaneously earning their complete standard compensation from USA Truck. George Henry, CEO of USA Truck, emphasized the significance of removing financial barriers for those who have served. Veterans bring invaluable leadership, discipline, and technical expertise to the workforce, he noted, and the company is investing heavily in the future of these professionals as they develop into elite drivers and technicians. The dual support system ensures families remain financially secure during their first 24 months of civilian employment, a period often marked by uncertainty and adjustment challenges.
USA Truck operates a substantial fleet across the region, with approximately 450 corporate employees as of early 2026. Between 275 and 300 of those positions are based in Van Buren. The company maintains around 1,600 trucks and drivers along with roughly 6,000 trailers, while also working with about 250 owner operators through a subsidiary operation. Interested applicants can access more information through the company’s recruitment portal, which is now actively seeking transitioning service members for the apprenticeship program.
Meanwhile, Baptist Health Fort Smith is preparing to host two interactive summer events designed to expose local students to healthcare, emergency response, and public safety careers. Members of Baptist Health’s Next Gen Teen Volunteer Program and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences MASH students will participate alongside first responders and healthcare professionals in carefully designed scenarios that mirror real world emergency situations.
The first event, titled Heroes Unite, will take place Tuesday morning at the northwest employee parking lot at the corner of G Street and Towson Avenue in Fort Smith. Similar in concept to popular touch a truck events, this program gives students the opportunity to interact directly with local police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and other first responders while exploring emergency vehicles and learning about careers in public service. Two days later, on Thursday morning at the same location, a large scale mock disaster exercise will unfold featuring a simulated school bus crash with a hazardous materials component. Staff from Baptist Health Fort Smith, local law enforcement, fire departments, EMS agencies, and emergency management partners will conduct the drill, creating a realistic emergency response environment that allows students to observe and participate in coordinated rescue, triage, and hospital response operations.
In other local business news, Arkansas earned recognition for having the 15th highest rated McDonald’s restaurants in America according to a recent study by Restaurant Furniture. Fort Smith locations topped the state rankings in the analysis, which examined more than 8.7 million customer reviews across 4,867 McDonald’s locations nationwide. The comprehensive study evaluated restaurants in the top 10 cities in each state, providing insight into regional variations in customer satisfaction and service quality. As Fort Smith continues to develop its workforce pipeline through military transition programs and healthcare training initiatives, these investments in human capital signal a broader commitment to economic diversification and community development across the metro area.
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