College students currently enrolled in classes, who are reservists in the Armed National Services, are still vulnerable to be called to active duty.

“They are classified as reservists, not college students,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Paul Sjordal. “The fact that they are college students doesn’t matter,” he said.

Air National Guard Reservist Lou Avvisati, who also is a senior airman and a liquid fuels maintenance specialist, said, “When you join, you join for the benefits, you don’t join to go to war. But, when you sign the contract, you realize your duty takes precedence above all else.”

Avvisati, an NIU senior who has been on alert for “some time” said, “Considering the fact that school just started, I would rather go now than drop everything mid-semester.”

Sjordal said, “Reservists are given warning depending on their need and job description.” Warnings could be for days or for hours, he said.

But Avvisati has mixed emotions about leaving school during his senior year.

“Because graduating is a goal I have worked on for so long, and me being a graduating senior, and in the situation that I am in, I feel like I’m about to accomplish something only to get the rug pulled from under my feet,” said Avvisati.

Avvisati said he is confident about his readiness and duty to his country.

“I do agree with the president sending troops to the Middle East because the sanctions we imposed on Iraq haven’t changed anything. They are still getting the supplies they need,” said Avvisati. “All of the troops are well enough prepared and trained to accomplish their goals under conventional and chemical warfare,” he said.