Like a lot of teenagers, Matt Masters didn't know what he wanted to do with his life.

A troubled family life in Arizona brought him to Vancouver, Washington to live with is aunt. After about three months here he decided a career in the Army could be his ticket to a new life.

"I'm trying to make a life adult decision and join up", he said while finishing up his paperwork at the Army recruiting office in Vancouver.

He'll be shipping off to Fort Sill, Oklahoma next month. He's ready to start basic training and a new job.

"I spot the enemy and call in the coordinates back in to the artillery", he said.

For signing up now Matt will pocket a $20,000 cash incentive.

"It's the biggest one we have right now", said Major Bob Grambell.

This comes at a time when it's becoming more difficult for the Army to meet it's monthly goals.

Major Grambell oversees seven recruiting stations in the Portland area. His mission is to sign up 45 regular Army recruits and another ten to fifteen Army Reserve. He says it can be a tough sell.

He concedes, "A lot of people mention the iraq war,I'm sure that plays a part."

The signing bonus is those new privates who ship out by September 30th, the end of the Army's fiscal year.

In addition, depending on their MOS, military occupational specialty it can mean as much as another $20,000 in their pockets.

"There are a lot of opportunities out there for young people, and the army is one of them", said Grambell.

Currently the Army spends nearly $1 billion in incentives. This includes bonuses, iPod and backpack giveaways. Whatever it takes to get someone interested in serving their country.

Portland is headquarters for the Army's largest geographical recruiting area in the country. It stretches from the northwest, to Hawaii, to Guam.

AP Photo

Oregon Army National Guard members train in June 2003 at Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho.

Recruiters are constantly on the phone selling the Army life.

New relaxed enlistment requirements, including age (the new age limit is 42), weight limits, education and drug and criminal records, is helping get some people interested.

"We tell our army story, it's something whether you decide to make a career out of it and stay in for 20 plus years or do your initial term and get out", said Grambell.

And for Matt Masters, with all his paperwork in order and a bonus check when he completes basic training, he believes the Amy life is for him.

"Actually I want to try and stay the whole twenty years. I can retire by the time I'm 38.