Our Special Series spotlighting each member of the Elite 11 from Transition Trucking’s Driving For Excellence Award continues with an in-depth interview featuring HEB Grocery driver Mohammad “Mo” Arzola, a 27-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps who rose to the rank of Sergeant Major.

Over the course of our conversation, Mo talks to us about his military career, which included multiple combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. It was on the battlefield in Iraq where he was wounded by an IED, suffering a concussion and perforated eardrums, and was awarded the Purple Heart.

Mo’s transition out of the military was marked by significant personal challenges. He faced a divorce, a serious knee injury and an initial civilian job that was not a fit for what he needed at the time. Struggling with a collection of stressors, Mo reached out to his brother, Mac, who was an established driver with HEB. Mo then got the opportunity to earn his CDL and join the HEB fleet.

As you will hear, Mo credits truck driving as a turning point in his new life as a civilian, describing the open road as a form of therapy that helped him heal and regain a positive outlook on life. Through HEB, Mo notes that he found a workplace culture that reminded him of the brotherhood and high standards of the Marine Corps.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed