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first, everyone was extremely intimidated by the instructors. Later, the intimidation didn’t ease up, but the attitude on our part turned to respect as we began to see that the instructors were trying to help us—not only as people but as law enforcement officers. I have a great deal of respect for them now. They had to suffer through this the same as we did—leaving their families behind in order to be here, getting up each morning before we did, working long after we went to bed.
    â€œIn the beginning, everyone helps everyone else. The first week, someone was caught sitting on a desk top and we were all called out. We had to run laps and everybody wondered why we had to pay for one person’s mistake. Then we realized that not all of us are good at everything and we’d have to learn to pull together as a team. It helped us develop a sense of camaraderie. I know that no matter where I am in the state, I can count on another trooper to come by and look out for my family or whatever needs to be done. There’s a lot of pride in ‘looking after our own.’
    â€œSome weeks were boring, with all the classwork. But I enjoyed the defensive tactics. Boxing was no fun at
all. 
But this is where the group really began to jell. You’re standing toe-to-toe with your roommate or friend and you have to fight him, physically hurt him. It makes you closer to that person. When it was over, there were hugs and tears.
    â€œWhat I disliked most was getting up at 5:00 A.M.  and starting the day all over again. That’s when you hear the moans and groans.
    â€œIf we had a theme through school, I guess it was to carry the same discipline we’ve learned onto the road. We have a responsibility to live up to certain standards so we don’t tarnish the image of the patrol. I think it’s that kind of integrity that makes a good trooper. Being fair to people, doing what’s right. I like to think that’s the kind of trooper I’ll be. I get along well with people and try to be understanding. I’m not hard-nosed, but I have enough self-confidence to know I can handle myself if someone turns on me. The main thing I worry about is remembering the basic skills I’ve learned and not slipping up, making stupid mistakes.”
    Arthur (“Artie”) Branch, a former firefighter from Lumberton, was thirty-two when he switched careers to become a state trooper.
    â€œI was at an age when I knew I had to make a decision. My wife told rne about six years ago she’d never be married to a highway patrolman, but we got divorced after that anyway, so I went ahead and joined.
    â€œI had grown up around the patrol because my father was head of communications at Troop B in Lumberton. I was always impressed by troopers’ professionalism and their sense of public service. And I thought the pay was pretty good.
    â€œThe worst part of school were the first few days—the academic work load, the physical training, and no time to do it all. I had been out of school a long while and it was a strain to keep up with the ones who had a degree or prior law enforcement experience. Like everyone else, I thought about quitting.
    â€œSchool is rough, there’s no doubt about it. Some cadets said if their wives had told them on weekend leave not to go back, they wouldn’t have. I experienced that too. But now I feel I’m in the best physical shape I’ve ever been in, and I’m ready to go out on the road. I know I have a lot to learn and I’ll be nervous until I get it down pat, but they’ve prepared us well. I’m ready for whatever happens.
    â€œI guess what I liked best were the firearms training and the pursuit driving. Putting on the uniform for the first time felt good too. You put on your ‘Smokey Bear’ hat and look at yourself in the mirror and it’s just a real proud feeling.”
    Uniforms are issued the last week of school. Each