As America prepares for a possible war with a hidden enemy, the Tristate's draft-age students face questions about Selective Service, while many younger teens worry about the safety of older siblings.

Quentona Tebelman, 16, a student at Hughes Center, makes a point during a discussion in Michael Holbrook's government class. (Dick Swaim photos)

        Though activation of a draft is unlikely, students are wondering what's in store for them if and when the United States responds to last week's terrorist attacks.

        “Ever since it happened, that's all I'm thinking about,” said 18-year-old Lara Molebash of Chillicothe, a freshman at the University of Cincinnati.

        “I have an older brother and I know he's worried and the guy I was dating is worried,” she said Tuesday.

        The Selective Service System, the government agency that keeps a registry of 18- to 25-year-old U.S. male citizens and aliens for possible service in the armed forces, said there has been no directive about reinstating the draft.
       

Act of Congress

        Nevertheless, calls by concerned citizens have picked up, said Alyce Burton, spokeswoman for the Arlington, Va.-based agency.

Marcus Lacour 16, expresses his views on the attacks.

        “It would take an act of Congress and the implementation by the president to reinstate the draft,” she said.

        Many of today's teens were still learning to count when U.S. troops were sent to the Middle East in 1991 during the Persian Gulf War, this country's last major conflict.

        Before 8:45 a.m. on Sept. 11, a draft seemed far-fetched.
       

Becoming real

        When Mark Ogg, 18, a UC student from Union Township, Clermont County, registered for Selective Service in December, he never considered the possibility of being drafted.

        He's thinking about it now.

        “I'm worried. I really don't want to go, but if events happen that they really need me, I wouldn't mind.”

        Some students' concerns are tempered because their perception of war doesn't include bloody field battles.

Lara Molebash says her brother and a friend are worried about the draft.

        “These wars don't mean anything as far as ground warfare,” said Justin Awls, 20, a third-year UC student from Toledo. “Wars are fought in the air. But if I get called up, I'll be over there.”

        Still others believe the United States is well-equipped with men and women serving in the armed forces.

        “I don't think there's a high chance I'd be drafted,” said 19-year-old John Cheatham a second-year UC transfer from Orrville, Ohio. “They have so many other options.”

        At Hughes Center, across the street from UC on Clifton Avenue, students weren't so confident.

        “If we go to war and we lose, what's going to happen?” asked Mark Knox, 16, of Madisonville during Michael Holbrook's government class. “Are they going to come and take over?”

        Others wanted to know when a battle was last fought on U.S. soil and if they would have to fight.

        Most Hughes students are too young to have registered for Selective Service and are only beginning to understand the draft.

        One student asked of the draft: “Isn't it outlawed?”

        Dartanian Thomas, 16, of Price Hill, said he's not worried about himself but his mother and father, who both served in the Army.

        “My momma was in the military eight years ago and she could be called back and my daddy was in the military,” he said. “If they had to go back, I don't know what I would do.”

The Selective Service System
       

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