American Soldier

A. The most powerful photo in the slideshow in my opinion is the one where they are buzzing his hair off. I feel this way because the shaving of his hair symbolizes him leaving all of his prior lifestyle behind when he joins the military. 

B. Set 1-at home- #1-#4

Set 2 -basic training- #4-#12

Set3-Iraq-#12-#15

C. I think the training set is the most powerful set of photos because it looks very difficult and life changing because of the physical and mental toll it must have taken.

D. The images work to tell a story because each set of photos are a chunk of Ian's journey that changed his life showing his trip from home to training and then Iraq. The images capture moments of distress, happiness, and determination.

E. Present tense

F. The captions enhanced the photographs because when written in present tense it illuminates that Ian still feels all of these emotions and his memories of war are very vivid.

G. Ian Fischer wanted to feel a sense of accomplishment and and prove something of himself by joining the army only 2 weeks after high school.  Fischer struggles through basic training and tried outgrowing his teenage mindset. His training prepared him for war in foreign, violent land. Fischer was assigned to Fort Carson, which as very close to his old partying grounds which tempted him to halt his new army life to return to his old party ways. Fischer was given another chance to steer his life in the right track and was deployed to Iraq. Fischer learned from his mistakes and proved he has potential to become a very noble soldier.