Bryant Carden, military veteran turned truck driver likes “being on the move”

Serving in the U.S. Army for 14 years from 2001 to 2015, Bryant did not expect to become a professional truck driver after serving his country. He served first as a Nutrition Care Specialist acting as the Hospital Cook and Diet Technician. Prior to leaving Active Duty, he served as a Unit Supply Sergeant.

Bryant moved around while serving, spending his first two years in Wurzburg, Germany before relocating to Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Having loved his time in Germany, he reenlisted to go back and was stationed in Heidelberg for three years. His last two duty stations were Fort Hood, Texas (now Fort Cavazos) and Fort Benning, Georgia (now Fort Moore).

His first civilian job was with Coleman American Moving Services in Columbus, Georgia, where his love for driving developed. He drove box trucks (straight trucks) within a 500-mile radius. But, after two years, he wanted to drive larger trucks and see more of the U.S., so he went to Troops Into Transportation Driving School and earned his CDL. After a few different short stints with other trucking companies, he connected with Andre Ephraim, an Army veteran he served with at Fort Benning, and Andre suggested that Bryant join him at Baylor Trucking. Andre trained Bryant to be a solo driver and now, years later, Bryant will celebrate his fifth anniversary at Baylor Trucking in July 2024.

When reflecting on the skills he learned in the military that he has utilized as a professional truck driver, Bryant quickly answered people skills, flexibility, work ethic, being a hard worker, patience and paying attention to detail. He explained that people skills are essential for delivering and picking up from shippers. He said that if you work hard, you can be successful in the trucking industry, but it takes patience and flexibility. It’s important and necessary for drivers to always be on top of the weather, knowing details, communicating, and following instructions.

He has greatly enjoyed his time at Baylor Trucking. He drives one of the Baylor 75th Anniversary edition green trucks and likes working at a smaller company where everyone knows you by name. Compared to being in the military, he likes being on the move, which trucking provides him. He has found trucking to be a great career and has provided his family well.

Byrant shared that his favorite memory from working at Baylor Trucking was when he had the opportunity to represent the company twice for Wreaths Across America. He was tasked with delivering wreaths to military cemeteries in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. During one delivery in Indiana, he received a police escort to the delivery location. He proudly said that delivering wreaths to our fallen Soldiers was very special to him.

Bryant and his wife live in Midland, Georgia and they have three boys, ages 19, 16, and 9. He loves all types of music including everything from hip-hop to rap, R&B music, pop and Christian music. He loves sports with his favorite college team being the Georgia Bulldogs. He said it gets a little dicey at home for watching the NFL because he’s a Dallas Cowboys fan and his wife is an Atlanta Falcons fan.

The trucking industry is fortunate to have a professional driver like Bryant.