With discussions continuing in Washington, D.C. and other political centers about military responses in reaction to last week’s terror attacks on the United States, the possibility of the draft returning has been on the minds of many.

Students at Ohio State reacted to the idea of the government reinstating the draft, which ended when the United States pulled out of the Vietnam conflict in 1974.

“I don’t see us needing that many soldiers,” said Kevin Payne, a junior in journalism and communication.

Payne said he didn’t think it was likely he’d be called in the event the draft was reinstated, because of his status as a student and the number of military reserves. However, if he was called, he wouldn’t hesitate to go.

“If America was seriously under attack and if all that we represent was threatened, I would go,” Payne said.

Sophy Chhun, a junior in English who was born in Thailand, doesn’t mind the idea of the draft but said the United States is letting its emotions get the best of it.

“I think the country is going overboard,” Chhun said.

“My mom said she’d send me to the Ukraine,” joked Alex Liaugminas, a junior in entomology, about what would happen if he was to be drafted.

“I guess I’d probably go,” Liaugminas said. “Hopefully I’d go somewhere nonessential though, preferably the chef quarters.”

Samuel Zerayesus, a senior in electrical engineering, is not a U.S. citizen. He was born in East Africa, but has lived in the United States for 19 years. However, because he takes student loans, he would be eligible to be drafted. Zerayesus talked about his feelings in possibly defending the United States and not being a citizen at the same time.

“I’d feel weird,” Zerayesus said. “I do consider myself an American, even though I’m not allowed to say it.”

Although he would be willing to fight for the United States, Zerayesus wants to be sure that it is clear who is responsible for the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and that the purpose for a military campaign is defined.

“We have to watch the people who are running the country and make sure they are fighting for the right cause,” Zerayesus said.

Tony Pavick, a senior in electrical engineering, felt an obligation to those who had fought to defend freedom in past American wars.

“It’s pretty simple,” Pavick said. “People fought for me to live free in the society we live in, so I have to fight for them.”