The Massachusetts State Police Academy hosted the sixteenth year of the American Legion's Student Trooper Program from July 25 to 29 and August 8 to 12, 2005. The program is for youths, ages 15 to 17, who are interested in law enforcement or the military. The academy provided a one week program designed as a "mini-academy". Drill Instructors taught discipline and military drill while other instructors taught patrol procedure and firearms safety. The student troopers were also provided with driver training and given an opportunity to test their driving skills on the Academy's driving track. They pushed themselves individually to overcome obstacles while being challenged to accomplish an objective requiring teamwork on ROPES, a challenge course consisting of high and low elements that are designed to only be conquered through teamwork. Specialty units from the Massachusetts State Police and the Massachusetts Army National Guard discussed career opportunities in law enforcement and the military. A total of 170 student troopers graduated from the program.