Welcome to the big leagues: Master Driver Safety Training (MDST) is a rigorous certification process that UPS offers for on-road supervisors. UPSers are put to the test on their knowledge and application of best driving methods – they’re expected to know their trucks like the back of their hands, drive defensively and ultimately protect lives on the road.
Graduating MDST is its own reward, and UPS prides itself on having some of the safest drivers in the business. However, there is another distinction for those who go above and beyond: the Top Guns.
How it works: Four facilitators host each MDST workshop with 12 supervisors per session, and UPSers who attempt the program are rigorously graded. Every assessment, every minute they spend on road, all of their certifications, the number of attempts and their scores are all factored.
To be the very best: The supervisor that earns the recognition of being top of their class is awarded Top Gun status. Since 2016, only 178 Top Guns have been identified.
Hear the experiences of three Top Gunners:
McKenzie Stanfield
From seasonal to superstar: McKenzie Stanfield started as a seasonal worker with UPS five years ago. From early on, she knew she wanted to stay and become a supervisor.
(McKenzie Stanfield)
“I was doing everything I could to build my resume. And then I got promoted in March of this year.”
McKenzie found out she was in line for MDST about four weeks out from the class and immediately got to work. “It's instant pressure. You have to know an insane amount of things. Verbatim. You have to be able to demonstrate them.”
Making the grade: Her determination and self-belief made her a standout in the class. Top Gun wasn’t far behind.
“It was a huge accomplishment for me, and there's an expectation that comes from that [recognition],” McKenzie said. “I knew that I needed to get back to my center and prove that I earned it.”
A dynamic duo: Jessie Duran and Willie Padron
(Willie Padron and Jessie Duran)
Set up for success: “Growing up, my dad was always big on practicing baseball and school, especially. He's always been about making sure you get the math problem correct. And you don't stop until you perfect it,” said Jesse Duran, UPSer of five years and Top Gun recipient. “It’s second nature now. I just constantly work to develop myself and better my team.”
Jesse came on as a loader and quickly progressed through many opportunities at UPS. Once he started as a part-time supervisor, a new world opened up. He likened it to playing sports in college: you get to build a team and you develop a special chemistry.
All Top Gunners agree: The best way to prepare for MDST is to hit the books. “It's never too early to study. If you see that your MDST class is in a month, start studying right away. You have to go in prepared,” Jesse says.
“I had a great experience working with supervisors that were part of the class. You learn what they do, and you get to network. And now I have partners all across the country.”
Every Maverick needs a Goose: Willie Padron has been with UPS for six years. Working out of the same facility as Jesse, he was inspired to go Top Gun.
“Once they presented me with [Top Gun], I honestly didn't think it was going to be me because everyone in our class was so good. We helped each other study and brought each other up,” Willie said.
Other UPSers take notice of Jesse and Willie at their facility, proudly wearing their patches – today they’re known as Maverick and Goose, after the dynamic on-screen duo. Together, they’re training and inspiring the next generation.
Do you have what it takes to make Top Gun? UPS is hiring over 100,000 workers to help deliver the holidays. Learn more here.