Although the U.S. Selective Service is filling vacancies on draft boards throughout the country, many say that alarm over a possible return of a Vietnam-style draft system is unfounded.

If ordered by Congress and President George W. Bush, the Selective Service could reinstate the draft.

"There is no draft at this time, but it has been a federal law that men register within 30 days of turning 18," said Alyce Burton, a spokesman for the National Selective Service office.

Burton said Selective Service positions are being filled because terms have expired, leaving large numbers of vacancies on drafting boards.

"We are always seeking volunteers on our local draft boards," Burton said. "As a result of a maximum 20-year limit, many of the members who have been serving since the 1980s have had to leave."

History professor Kristin Hoganson said a potential draft depends on what happens in Iraq and Afghanistan and the future of the War on Terror, whether Bush pursues war with other members of "The Axis of Evil" and the popularity of the Bush Administration's policies.

"The Bush Administration is waging an increasingly unpopular war," Hoganson said. "The administration thinks the war is becoming more unpopular and costly than anticipated. There may come a day they won't be able to conduct their policies with an all-voluntary Army."

Dan Amon, public affairs specialist for Public and Congressional Affairs in Illinois, said 84 percent of draft board positions have been filled. He said a draft will be unnecessary in Iraq and the War on Terrorism.

But if there was another draft, college students would no longer be immune from it after changes were made to the draft law in 1971.

"A great effort has been made to make the draft equal and fair," Amon said. "Students (would) now be allowed to finish out the semester and seniors (would be) allowed to finish out the year before being drafted."

College Republicans president Victoria Cosentino said she would support President Bush if he decided to bring back the draft.

"If the draft was something the president felt was necessary, I would support his decision," she said. "It would be unfortunate if any student's education is disrupted, but I feel it's a matter of duty."

However, College Democrats president Lauren Kidwell said she is opposed to sending more soldiers to Iraq without a clear exit strategy.

"Bush has not been forthright on Iraq," Kidwell said. "I want to see how he is going to resolve the Iraq situation before we send more soldiers."

If there is a draft, there have been speculations that women might also be called to duty.

"Women in the armed forces are a good thing," said Sarah Tomlinson, senior in LAS and College Republicans chair. "Women could go to battle as well as the men."

Jake Hughes, senior in ACES, has been in the ROTC Army program for four years.

"I'm a soldier; whatever President Bush decides to do, it is my responsibility as a soldier to obey the rules," Hughes said. "I would be willing to go if I were drafted."

Jillian Skiff, junior in applied life studies and member of the ROTC Army program, said she doesn't support the draft system but doesn't think a draft is a realistic possibility because people are still enlisting.

"It is highly unlikely women will be drafted," Skiff said. "If I'm called upon to support my country I would go."

Military science professor and U.S. Army Capt. Trent Stevens said the U.S. government would have to have called up all active soldiers, the reserves and National Guard before a draft could even be considered.

"Yes, we've been reduced in size, but we're not a small army," Stevens said. "We have too many avenues to put the draft on the list."