Her bags are packed and sitting by the door. Every time the phone rings she wonders if it will be the call she expects but hopes doesn?t come. Every appointment is tentative. After Narrmayet Taonus heard of President George Bush?s call up of 35,000 reserves, phrases like “see you soon” aren?t as certain any more.

Taonus, 24, is a Sacramento State junior majoring in photography. She is also a Coast Guard Reservist. She knows that it?s not easy to pick up and go whenever duty calls. Deployment means putting your personal life and academic career on hold.

“When I first heard about the call-up, I said to myself, ?I?m going,?” Taonus said. “We?re trained to always be ready. I?m packed up and ready.”

She is not alone. On Sept. 13, Bush approved a Department of Defense order activating up to 50,000 reserves from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. Observers believe that more could be called in the coming weeks and months as Bush?s war on terrorism expands and the threat of retaliation grows.

“The Coast Guard is planning to call up 2000 of our 8000 reserves,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Barry Lane of the Coast Guard Public Affairs Office in Alameda, Calif. “We can also call up everyone if circumstances dictate it.” The Defense Department has called up 800 Coast Guard reserves to tighten national security at U.S. ports and coastlines in the wake of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.

Taonus is an E-4 Petty Officer 3rd Class, trained in marine environmental response and vessel boarding. She joined the Coast Guard over two years ago because, she said, “I wanted to protect the water from irresponsibility.” She has six years remaining in the reserves.

According to Taonus, a reservist has 48 hours to report for duty before the phone call comes. Although heightened national tension and the possibility of a call-up is constantly on her mind, she is calm when talking about her future.

“I?d liken it to someone getting pregnant,” Taonus said. “It?s not convenient, but, I know it sounds corny, I?ll go. It?s my duty.”

Taonus serves one weekend per month and two full weeks each year, plus training sessions in between. Although she is proud to be a reservist, it is not a lifestyle that she recommends for everyone.

“If a person wants a challenge and wants to see news things, it?s great. But if a person has an ounce of fear, they shouldn?t join,” she said.