PORTAGE | Maj. John Johnston's office is wallpapered with the faces of youth.

Young men and women in uniform. Out of uniform in prom tuxedos and dresses. With fellow soldiers in the desert.

Johnston can point to each one and rattle off their job. IT specialist, medic, helicopter pilot.

There's a fresh set of faces waiting to graduate this June and join the board.

At 37 years, Portage High School's JROTC program is the 14th oldest in the country, Johnston says. About 60 percent of this year's 19 seniors are heading to active duty.

They've signed job contracts before many of their classmates have even signed college financial aid forms.

To some of these students turned soldiers, enlisting is almost less about the military and more about a career, and a way to build a life.

In a time of war and question marks, they're standing at attention.