ESCAMBIA COUNTY - It's that same economic downturn that has many people looking for a stable career.

And while the military may not guarantee safety during war time... It does guarantee both a steady paycheck and benefits.

We're at the Armed Forces Career Center just south of Cordova Mall.

Recruiters here are seeing more people coming in, trying to find a job that won't leave them, or their family hanging.

Robert Stone has lived in Pensacola for several months... He's found a place to live, friends and plenty to do....

He's found everything but a job.

Robert Stone said, "A lot of the jobs out there right now are call center type of jobs. Entry level stuff, Walmart, things like that. And even those places aren't hiring anymore."

That's why a month ago Robert turned his attention to serving in the military.

He's in the process of getting fit, so he can enlist in the Air Force.

Stone said, "I'm actually kind of excited about it. I'll have a lot of options coming from that. I'll learn a lot of different things, get a lot of experience to work with. So, yeah, I 'd say I'm pretty excited about that."

A recent study by the Associated Press found recruits can earn at least 12 hundred dollars a month.

Some are also earning a hefty sign-on bonus... Up to 40 thousand dollars in some cases.

SSgt Adam Wenc said, "The steady pay, the full medical, full dental for you and your family. The education benefits that come along with it. Help make an applicant recession proof, I suppose."

CPO Mark Long said, "A lot of the younger folks are still heading in, in large numbers. But we're also getting a lot of families. A lot of husbands that are coming in because they're job didn't have a benefits package that it used to. With the Navy, you've got medical, dental, life insurance policies."

All reasons why Robert Stone, and many others, find joining the military such an attractive option during this down economy.

Robert Stone said, "I'm looking forward to the pay check, but obviously I'm looking forward to just having the security of knowing I don't have to worry about constantly searching for a job."Military Recruitment