New unemployment numbers out Thursday show Illinois is nearing a ten percent jobless rate and as more people struggle to find employment, they may be more more likely to turn to military service. We spoke to some JROTC graduates looking forward to serving their country, with job security.

The war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan may seem unstable, but Russell Waggoner has always wanted to serve overseas and standing in line to receive a JROTC award, Waggoner feels protected from the unemployment line.

"The military's a guaranteed job, you're always going to have a steady paycheck no matter what," says Waggoner.

Waggoner, an Auburn High School senior, is already enlisted in the army. The promise of job security is driving more people across the country to join him. Enrollment numbers released last month show all four branches of the military are meeting or exceeding their recruitment goals.

Thursday night, Auburn JROTC students are recognized for their achievements and the school's senior army instructor says the program is booming.

"I am seeing more interest in the military than we've had in the last couple of years," says Colonel Roy Blumenshine.

But the Colonel warns the military is no easy way out. He says, "That's a pretty huge decision so if I'm talking to the cadets, I try to give them an idea of what the military is like! It's not always as glamorous as it may seem."

Students we talked to say their drive to serve is their primary motivation for enrolling. But the job market makes the timing of getting into the military more urgent.

"Even if you have the qualifications, being lucky enough to find a job that you really want to do and you'll be happy doing for the rest of your life is not something easy to come by these days," says Auburn JROTC student Morgan Fisher. "So enlisting in the military is something I've always wanted to do and it's a sure position. It gives you determination, you have to be determined to do what you want to do."

Our morning team Andy and Aaron were special guests, handing out awards at the event. Students we spoke to also say they're relying on their military service to pay for college. A new GI bill pays for tuition at any public university, plus a living stipend.

Military recruiters are also feeling more urgency now, as the military plans to expand to relieve the strain on troops and their families. The active army is to grow by 65,000 soldiers by 2010. And the Marine Corps is to add 27,000 by 2011.