Gen. David Petraeus, the U.S. commander in Iraq, recently proposed reducing the service of U.S. troops in Iraq by 30,000, but leaving at least 130,000 troops until next summer. The continued obligations of members in the military weigh on the student body as well as University staff.

Daniel Hart, a member in Air Force ROTC and a freshman in aerospace engineering, said he supports bringing troops home.

“I want our troops to come home as soon as the next person,” he said. “I have heard first-hand accounts from soldiers who have been [in Iraq] positive things that have been done while we’re there liberating the people.”

Matthew Aycock, a junior in biological sciences, said he supports the troops, but he doesn’t support the cause, because America’s presence in Iraq puts a hold on the country’s development and independence.

“I always thought it was a bad idea for us to go into Iraq in the first place,” Aycock said. “I don’t like the fact we’re still in there policing another country.”

Gunner Sgt. Sean Christensen, a Naval ROTC operations officer and senior in business management operations, said troops in Iraq are there voluntarily, so they are prepared to take the risks of a military profession and follow their commander in chief, regardless of what decision his staff makes.

“Gen. Petraeus is just doing his job, and he’s going to do what’s best for not only the country, but for the services [in Iraq],” he said.

Katherine Taylor, an administration manager for Centennial Campus development, said her husband is still serving in the National Guard, stationed in the Iraq area.

“We should be there. I don’t know if we should have gone [to Iraq] in the first place, but we’re there now … and I think we should stay until the job is completed, or we might end up in a situation where we might have to go back later and the situation is much worse than it is now,” she said. “So I am more in favor of getting the job done now so he can come home.”

Christensen also said people should support the troops as they see their mission through to success, whether being in Iraq is the right place to be or not.

“You have to trust in those above you and trust they’re making the right decisions,” he said.

Aycock said he understands Petraeus’ plan.

“I see us as the enemy in their eyes. We should get our American citizens back here as soon as possible, so they can protect us in another way,” he said.

President Bush is set to deliver a speech from the White House tonight at 9:01 p.m. about the future of the Iraq war.