The steady drumbeat of economic bad news might be good news for army recruiters.

They report rising numbers, especially in North Texas, which once again produced more new soldiers than any place in America.

Why are more young Americans raising their hands to serve?

There might not be any foxholes on Wall Street, but there's one place you can still dig your own.

Recruiters believe economic insecurity is driving more young Americans to join the army.

Dennis Arnold raised his hand at Texas Stadium in a ceremony to mark the army's success and his personal salvation.

"I basically lost everything that I have. I lost my house," he said.

He lost his telecommunications business.

Arnold is 27 with a wife and three young children.

Recruits and recruiters cite increased college funding and big signing bonuses as prime motivators.

But John Cook and the others say above all else, this is about service.

When Cook thought about joining, he recalled a funeral last October in his little hometown of Krum.

A salute to fallen green beret Justin Monschke.

"The support the community gave him during that procession was one of the most moving things in my life," he said.

This year, the Dallas recruiting battalion brought in roughly 4,350 new soldiers. About 350 more than last year. The most in the nation for the fourth year in a row.

Recruiters say it helps that North Texas has strong military ties.

They also credit a sharp drop in violence in Iraq.

"It matters because that's the number one concern to the moms and dads," said Lt. Col. Williamson.

New recruit Dennis Arnold had to explain it to his 10-year-old son.

"His biggest thing was will I be OK when I go. I told him everything will be fine," he said.

E-mail jdouglas@wfaa.com.