The Georgia Department of Public Safety has announced that 35 new troopers are ready to patrol state highways just in time for the Thanksgiving travel period.

The group recently completed 31 weeks of law enforcement training that included three months of on-the-road field work. They will fill vacancies at Georgia State Patrol posts statewide.

Two of the new troopers, Darius Goss and Andrew Phillips, have been assigned to the post in Forsyth County.

Col. Mark McDonough, commissioner of the department of public safety, said in a statement that the troopers have received the best training available.

"They have undergone grueling physical, academic and field training to prepare them well," he said.

The class also received specialized training in impaired driving enforcement, pursuit driving, firearms and drug interdiction techniques.

The group marks the 88th Georgia State Patrol Trooper School to graduate. Troopers began patrols in September 1937.