It’s hard to miss that distinct, wedge-shaped silhouette tearing across a dirt arena. You’ve seen it: the olive drab paint, the rugged tank-like body, and that unmistakable "military-futuristic" vibe. We're talking about the Soldier Fortune monster truck. Since its debut back in 2015, this machine has become a staple for fans who love a mix of heavy-duty patriotism and high-flying stunts.
But honestly, there is a lot more to this truck than just a cool paint job. It wasn't just built to look like a tank; it was designed as a rolling tribute to the men and women of the United States Military. If you’ve ever sat in the stands at a Monster Jam event, you know the vibe changes when this truck rolls out. It's respect mixed with pure adrenaline.
How the Soldier Fortune Monster Truck Actually Started
The truck first hit the dirt at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on January 3, 2015. At the time, veteran driver Chad Fortune—who, let’s be real, has the perfect last name for this—was the guy behind the wheel. The design was intentional. It wasn't meant to be a literal tank, but it took heavy inspiration from things like the Warthog from Halo and modern tactical vehicles.
Chad Fortune didn't just drive; he helped cement the truck's reputation for being a tank in more ways than one. In its first year, the truck famously had its entire rear end ripped off during a freestyle run in New Orleans. That’s the kind of carnage fans live for.
The Specs That Make It Move
Under that custom military shell, you aren't looking at a standard truck engine. Most people think these things are just glorified pickups, but the reality is much more intense.
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- Engine: 540ci Merlin (putting out about 1,500 horsepower).
- Tires: 66-inch BKT tires.
- Weight: Around 12,000 pounds.
- Fuel: Methanol (they burn through it incredibly fast).
Driving a machine like this isn't like driving your SUV. Tony Ochs, a 10-year Army veteran who eventually took over the "Black Ops" version of the truck, once compared a single Monster Jam event to a two-hour weightlifting session and a three-mile run combined. You're fighting the steering, the G-forces, and the heat all at once.
The Soldier Fortune Black Ops Spin-off
By 2016, the original truck was so popular that Feld Entertainment decided to expand the "fleet." That’s when we got Soldier Fortune Black Ops. While the original was green and tan camo, Black Ops went with a sleek, matte black finish.
The coolest part about Black Ops? They hired Tony Ochs to drive it. Tony wasn't just some random driver; he was an actual Apache helicopter crew chief in the Army. He’d served in Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Having a real veteran behind the wheel of a military-themed truck added a layer of authenticity that you just can't fake with marketing.
That Weird Machine Gun Turret Situation
If you're a long-time fan, you might remember something missing from the newer versions of the truck. When Soldier Fortune Black Ops first debuted, it had a prominent machine gun turret on the roof. It looked awesome, sort of like a "stealth" assault vehicle.
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However, by late 2016, that turret vanished. Why? Well, Feld Entertainment decided to move away from firearm imagery. There was also a practical reason: those turrets were notorious for falling off during flips. When you're dealing with a 12,000-pound truck doing backflips, anything "extra" bolted onto the roof usually ends up in the dirt within the first thirty seconds.
Who Drives It Now?
Things changed quite a bit after the 2020 pandemic. Chad Fortune eventually stepped away from full-time driving. For a while, the truck was on hiatus, which had fans worried it might be retired for good.
Then came Kayla Blood. She took over the driver's seat of the primary Soldier Fortune and brought a whole new level of aggression to the freestyle runs. Seeing her compete in the Triple Threat Series was a highlight for many, especially her documented rivalry with drivers like Tyler Menninga.
As of early 2026, the status of the trucks can be a bit confusing. Tony Ochs moved over to the ThunderROARus truck a while back, and while Soldier Fortune still appears in video games like Monster Jam Showdown, its presence on the live tour fluctuates based on the season's lineup. It’s one of those "legacy" trucks that Feld keeps in the rotation because the merchandise sales are through the roof.
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Why People Still Care About This Truck
It’s about the connection. Most monster trucks are characters—monsters, dogs, or superheroes. Soldier Fortune is one of the few that represents a real-world group of people.
- The Military Connection: At almost every show, the driver takes time to acknowledge veterans.
- The Look: It’s arguably one of the best-looking bodies in the sport. It’s "tacticool" before that was even a common word.
- The Durability: Because of the way the body is shaped (low and wide), it tends to take a beating better than some of the taller, fiberglass-heavy trucks.
If you’re looking to follow the truck today, your best bet is to keep an eye on the official Monster Jam stadium tour schedules. While the "Ice" variant (blue and white) was a short-lived experiment, the classic olive green and the Black Ops variants remain the fan favorites.
If you want to see what this truck can really do, go back and watch the 2022 Arena Championship Series Central footage. Tony Ochs and Kayla Blood put on some of the best technical driving performances in the truck's history during that run.
To stay updated on the Soldier Fortune monster truck, check the current driver roster on the official Monster Jam website before you buy tickets, as the lineup changes between the Stadium and Triple Threat tours. If you're a collector, the Spin Master 1:64 scale die-casts are still the most accurate way to "own" a piece of the truck’s history, including the rare "Fire" and "Ice" versions that occasionally pop up in special releases.