Railroads and Readiness: A Legacy of Service and Strength

By Kenny Rocker, Executive Vice President – Marketing and Sales, Union Pacific Railroad

My dad was in the Army, where he proudly served his country for four years. From the lessons he taught me — and from my own visits to military bases in Texas and Kansas — I’ve learned what it means to be mission driven, the importance of precision, and how to be ready at a moment’s notice. That mindset has always stayed with me, and I see it every day in the work we do at Union Pacific Railroad.

For more than 160 years, railroads have helped keep America ready. Since the Civil War, rail has been an essential part of our national defense — moving troops, tanks, fuel, and supplies wherever they need to go.

At Union Pacific, our partnership with the military runs deep. Civil War veterans helped lay our first tracks, and today, nearly one in five of our employees has served in uniform or currently serves in the National Guard or Reserves. That shared sense of discipline, teamwork, and focus is part of who we are. It shapes how we think, how we operate, and how we serve.

We take real pride in that. Every generation of Union Pacific employees has supported the nation’s defense in one form or another. What started as troop movements and supply trains in the 1800s has become a modern, technology-driven logistics network that keeps America’s military mission-ready.

The Backbone of Readiness

Across our 23-state network, we move thousands of railcars each year loaded with the equipment that keeps America’s armed forces strong. From Humvees and helicopters to food and fuel, rail is often a critical link in the defense supply chain — connecting the heartland to the front line.

Our routes stretch from inland installations to coastal ports in California, Louisiana, and the Pacific Northwest, as well as ports on the Great Lakes. Plus, we’re the only U.S. railroad with access to all six gateways into and out of Mexico. Our footprint gives us the strength to support the Department of War with flexibility and reach when timing is critical.

Union Pacific is also the only Class I railroad authorized to exchange billing and shipment information directly with the Department of War’s transportation management system, a distinction built on decades of trust and performance.

That trust isn’t abstract. Whether it’s a single container or a 132,000-lb. Abrams tank, the military knows we’ll get it there safely. That confidence stems from a system that works, and a team with a hustle mindset who cares about getting it right. Behind the scenes, thousands of railroaders play their part. They inspect, maintain, and dispatch the trains carrying our nation’s most vital cargo. They don’t always see where those shipments end up, but they know they’re moving something bigger than freight: They’re moving America’s readiness forward.

Evolving Together

As we look ahead, our relationship with the U.S. military is changing, growing stronger, more integrated, and more essential than ever. The proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern represents a new chapter in that relationship.

Some see it as a business move. I see it as a strategic advantage for our nation. When approved, this merger will create America’s first coast-to-coast rail network — 50,000 miles of track across 43 states, connecting the Pacific and Atlantic coasts and linking dozens of bases, suppliers, and key ports.

When we connect the coasts, we connect the country. That means faster, simpler, more secure movement for our military partners.

Today, six major Class I freight railroads operate across North America. When freight needs to cross those boundaries, it often changes hands — sometimes several times. Each transfer adds time, cost, and risk to shipments that can’t afford delays.

A unified network will remove those bottlenecks. By reducing handoffs and improving coordination between installations, manufacturers, and ports, we can move cargo faster, with greater reliability and predictability. For America, that translates directly into agility, the ability to respond to global demands without hesitation.

What’s Possible

You don’t have to imagine what this kind of collaboration looks like because it’s already happening.

Take Fort Riley in Kansas. Working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Union Pacific helped expand the base’s rail loading capacity with 33,000 feet of new track. It’s a $15 million investment that transformed how quickly the base can deploy.

Before the project, Fort Riley could move about 100 railcars in 24 hours. Today, it can pre-build multiple trains and deploy an entire brigade — up to 700 cars — in less than two days. That’s readiness in action.

Readiness isn’t just a mindset — it’s infrastructure, planning, and execution coming together when it counts.

Projects like this show what happens when government and industry share a mission. Smart infrastructure investment doesn’t just improve efficiency; it strengthens national capability.

Moving with Tech

The next era of defense logistics will depend on technology and adaptability. Railroads are investing heavily in innovation, from AI and predictive analytics to advanced inspection systems that support our employees and customers.

At Union Pacific, we’re applying these tools to enhance safety and make our 32,000-mile network more efficient. Sensors and digital inspection portals help us detect issues before they cause delays. Data analytics allow us to anticipate demand, adjust resources, and keep high-priority shipments moving without interruption.

We’re not innovating for innovation’s sake. We’re focused on one thing: performance. When the military calls, our system must work flawlessly. These advances give us the precision and resilience that define a strong national supply chain.

Supporting Veterans

Our relationship with the military is also deeply personal. Veterans have always been at the heart of Union Pacific. Their leadership, focus, and commitment to teamwork make us stronger as a company — and as a community.

Through our UPVETS Resource Group, we support veterans transitioning to civilian careers, offer mentoring and development opportunities, and engage in outreach that extends beyond the workplace.

Union Pacific has been recognized among the nation’s most military-friendly employers, earning the Department of War’s Freedom Award and other honors. But more important than the recognition is the daily dedication of the people behind it: the veterans who bring the same integrity and sense of mission they had in service to their work on the railroad.

Our veterans bring the same integrity and sense of mission they had in service — and it shows in how they keep our railroad running.

The Spirit of Service

If you’ve ever seen Union Pacific Locomotive No. 1943 — The Spirit — you’ve seen our pride in serving the military. Painted in the colors of all five branches of the armed forces, it’s a moving tribute to those who defend freedom and to the railroaders who help keep America’s rail lines strong.

Every time that locomotive rolls down the main line, it turns heads. But more than that, it reminds us what this partnership stands for: service, sacrifice, and strength.

Looking Ahead

As global challenges grow more complex, the need for dependable logistics will only intensify. Rail will continue to play a vital role in national defense, not only as a transporter of goods but as a strategic enabler of readiness.

Union Pacific will keep investing in the people, technology, and infrastructure that make our network strong. And through our merger with Norfolk Southern, we’ll build an even more capable system — one that moves with precision, scale, and purpose. DTJ

About the Author

Kenny Rocker is Executive Vice President, Marketing & Sales at Union Pacific Railroad in Omaha, Neb. He has held this position for eight years and is responsible for the company’s three major business units, along with Marketing and Sales Operations, Commercial Strategy, Union Pacific’s Mexico business and its Loup Logistics subsidiary. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Tuskegee University.