GREENSBORO -- Mark Nales wanted to play baseball, but when he didn't get drafted out of college, he immediately enlisted in the North Carolina Highway Patrol.
"From the ones I've known personally,” explained Trooper Nales, “I really loved how they carried themselves in and out of uniform, I wanted to be a part of that."
The NCHP is looking for more people like Trooper Nales. They're short about 180 troopers statewide.
One contributing factor is the low pay. State troopers make below the national average starting at $34,000, which makes it hard to convince some to put on the uniform when they can make thousands more in other states like Texas or California.
NCHP Trooper and Public Information officer Chris Knox said the training is top notch.
"That is an aspect we have to talk about,” explained Trooper Knox, “But so much more in who we are and what we do. The impact we're having in our communities."
The NCHP will be hosting informational forums across the state as they try to find the right people to wear the badge.
"It can take up to a year,” said Trooper Knox, “We're going to mnake sure we do these background checks that are as complete and intense as we can. We want to make sure we get the best of the best. Want to put people out there the community can trust."
As for the pay and long hours, Trooper Nales says he wouldn't dream of doing anything else. He says the training he's received in North Carolins has prepared him for every scenario.
Trooper Nales wanted to stay close to his family in North Carolina. He says if you're looking to move to the state, you'll have a job and a brotherhood waiting for you.
“We're family. I know that anywhere I go in this state, if there's a trooper,” said Trooper Nales, “That's my brother."
The Highway Patrol is hosting an informational meeting about how to apply on Monday night at 7:00 at the US Army National Guard Armory in Greensboro.