Editor's Note:  Photojournalist J.M. Simpson recently spent four weeks with a number of students who underwent truck driver training.

In bringing products to market, the trucking industry leads the way.

While ships, trains and airplanes carry a significant amount of commercial cargo, only the trucking industry provides door-to-door delivery and pickup for all types of consumer products.  In other words, the trucking industry is the vital - and only - link in moving American products around the country.

And the industry is growing.

"The industry is definitely growing," commented Tavio Headley, an economist with the American Trucking Association, during a telephone interview.

It is predicted that by 2014 there will be a shortage of over 30,000 truck drivers.

"Even today - and bear in mind the economy is tough to predict - the industry is growing and will continue to grow."

Put differently, there are truck driving jobs available for those who want to enter the industry.

Commercial truck drivers are required to obtain a commercial driver license, or CDL, in order to work in the industry. To earn a CDL, prospective drivers must successfully complete a training course approved by the Department of Licensing. To that end, Commercial Driver Services, Inc. fills a need in this growing industry.

"Everything about the school is good," said Mike Southards, a safety officer with the Washington Trucking Association.

Owned by Lee Brunk, CDS offers a comprehensive and well-structured four-week training course where potential drivers can graduate with a Class A, B or C CDL.  What's more, every student receives lifelong job placement assistance.

The student body is varied. Ten percent of the students are female.  The age spread in the student population ranges from those just out of high school to older individuals looking for a career change.  Approximately 30 percent of the student body comprises former service members.

"Soldiers and airmen make very good students," said Brunk.  "They have the ability to learn at an accelerated rate."

What's more, under the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program (MYCAA), CDS offers free training for military spouses.  Eligible applicants' spouses must have the rank of E-1 through E-5, Warrant Officer 1 through 2 , or 2nd through 1st Lieutenant.

An orderly man who expects professionalism from his faculty, Brunk has built a fully accredited school that graduates over 90 percent of its students and places over 95 percent of them into jobs.

Former students sing the school's praises.

"I loved being here," said Collin Karr, a former soldier who dropped by for a visit. "All of the instructors are awesome, and having my CDL has added to my career.  It is another arrow in my quiver."

Fred Garner, another former student, agreed

"I came here with no idea on how to drive a truck.  But these instructors were patient with me; they worked with me, and now I have a good job in the trucking industry," Garner said.

Students spend the first week of the course in a classroom setting learning the rules of the road, how to completely inspect a truck and what they can expect once hired.  The last three weeks of the course focus on applying those rules.

At the end of the class, each student must successfully pass a written and driving test.

Learning to drive a Freightliner tractor and a 48-foot trailer is not easy.

"The first day behind the wheel was mentally exhausting," commented Frank Sarabia as he climbed up into a Freightliner truck cab. "It seemed that I couldn't get anything right."

Driving in a cab that has no rearview mirror, 13 gears and a number of gauges that require monitoring, Sarabia's first day out was challenging.

Formerly attached to the 4th Squadron, 6th Air Cavalry Regiment, the 26-year veteran learned about CDS at a job fair.

"I was looking for retraining into a field that has a future," said Sarabia.

He visited CDS, interviewed with operations manager Dave Stegmiller, and decided to explore a new career path.

"Many of our students leave here with a job already lined up," commented Stegmiller.

But learning how to successfully make a turn in traffic or back a trailer into a confined space in pursuit of a trucking job are skills that require a lot of training.

"There is a lot to learn about safely driving a truck," pointed out James Stickland, an instructor and former truck driver in the Army.

Nearby, fellow instructors Dion McNeeley and Tom LaFors instructed Sarabia, Kevin Glidden and Brett Gade on how to safely and properly back up.

As the instructors taught and then watched, Sarabia and his peers began to improve.

"It takes practice, but it all comes together in the practice we get here," commented Glidden, a Marine reservist, as he climbed down out of a cab. "These instructors are good; they explain everything about the truck and driving in terms that are understandable."

Students at CDS are taught by a number of experienced instructors in order to get the full spectrum of knowledge. While LaFors instructs future truck drivers on how to back a truck, Clare Lindsay instructs student drivers on how to drive in traffic.

A former teacher, Lindsay spoke in measured tones as he talked Sarabia through a right-hand turn.

"Keep an eye on your mirror; watch for rear wheels," he cautioned Sarabia as he made the turn.

Lindsay worked with Gade and Sarabia for two hours.  By the end of the session, both men were navigating a heavily traveled street with confidence.

At the end of the training that culminated with every student successfully passing the course, they all looked forward to working in the trucking industry.

"It feels really good to have completed this training," commented Sarabia moments after receiving his diploma.

Commercial Driver Services, Inc. is located at 11000 34th Ave. S. in Lakewood.  For more information, visit www.cdstruckschool.com or call (253) 983-0200 or (800) 558-7120.