He could be in a war in a matter of weeks, but Justin Lachance has this theory about worrying:

"If you worry too much, you're not going to focus on the job," said the 18-year-old Seabee, who will complete a construction mechanics' apprenticeship school at Naval Base Ventura County next week and expects soon after that to join a battalion already in Kuwait.

Lachance and his classmates talk about war all the time, though some others at the 13-week training program known as A School deal with the probability of battle more privately. They talk about patriotism and defending the liberties of all Americans. They discuss the threat of Saddam Hussein.

In more apprehensive terms, they address gas-mask training, anthrax and the threat of chemical warfare.

Some A School students are experienced sailors, but many others are fresh out of basic training. A year ago, they were in high school, or working construction, or at Wal-Mart. Now they expect to be in the region they call "the sandbox."

Some seem excited. After President Bush's 48-hour warning to Saddam on Monday night, one student ran through the barracks shouting "Did you hear the news? Did you hear the news?" Later, he said it was about time.

Others played video games like "Hitman 2," prepared for an inspection or studied. They answered questions about war in an almost distant manner, not letting emotions show.

"If I have to go, I have to go ... I feel ready," said Demictrick Jacobs, who is in his fourth year with the Navy. He and virtually every other student said they long ago realized war was coming.

"I'm more stressed about my family freaking than I am about myself," said Erika Sherman of Temperance, Mich. She's one of many who uses a cell phone to soothe friends, parents, spouses or others -- a skill some practice with more finesse than others.

"I tell 'em wish me luck," said Jeremiah Paegelow of his calls to his family. He was just as blunt in his assessment of Bush's announcement Monday night. "I think I'm going to the desert."

Another student, a reservist whose unit was recently deployed, is still searching for the right way to tell his wife and his kids.

Tuesday morning, students gathered before 7 a.m. classes for a weekly awards ceremony where a chaplain weaved the imminence of war into prayer.

"We ask you to be with us in this time of decision and need," he said.

After the ceremony, school leaders talked about thinking about friends who are already deployed in Kuwait. Chief Petty Officer Kathy Keith said she always reminds students about the possibility of war as a reason to focus on classes and the two-weeks of combat training that come after A School.

Those who don't could be crippled. Or worse.

"I'm not trying to scare them," she said. "I'm trying to wake them up."