Even before the draw-down of troops in Iraq this week, military recruitment numbers have been looking healthy for full-time servicemen and women this summer.

"It'll make you stronger, mentally, physically, and morally, you'll come out of the Marine Corps with a lot of characteristics you never though you'd have, and I mean overall it's just a really good decision for me to make," said Marshall Herklotz, a Rudder High School senior.

The 17-year-old is preparing to sign up as a Marine.

"I mean I've heard They challenge you to do stuff you never thought you'd be able to do they turn you into a warrior they challenge your mind, and like I said it's really good," Herklotz said.

New numbers released Wednesday by the Department of Defense show three of the four service branches met or exceeded their recruitment goals for July.

The Army recruited 6,975 people which was 104 percent of it's goal,
the Navy - 2,990 people at 100 percent,
the Air Force - 1,920 people at 100 percent,
and the Marine Corps 2,845 people at 99 percent which was intentionally less because recruitment numbers are already up for the year.

"We typically put in more active duty young men and women than we do reserves because we only have a certain number of spots in this area," said Sergeant Christopher Chambers of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Chambers is a recruiter for the Bryan-College Station area.

Sergeant Chambers tells us the economic downturn has brought even more interest to the military.

For his recruiting area 15 people have signed this summer for a total of 45 over the fiscal year. That's about five more people this summer than during the same period last year.

"It's a little bit more a motivator for some than others to be able to take care of their families to be able to pay for their school. They may not have a job to be able to do so maybe they got laid off or whatever the case may be, and so the Marine Corps is a good alternative," Chambers said.

With the last of combat troops withdrawing from Iraq Thursday, Marshall Herklotz says he's eager to serve in the Middle East if called to duty.

"If it means serving my country I'll do anything," Herklotz said.

Service that is continuing to grow this summer.

While full-time active duty recruitment is up, the Army National Guard and Marine Corps reserve recruitments fell by as much as 24 percent in July nationwide but recruitments are already above their yearly recruiting goals.