This is How a Soldier Is Made

Good old Ft. Benning, I remember it well.

This is an excellent documentary photo essay.

What this really shows more then anything is how difficult it is dealing with a kid who is still very immature on so many levels. Look at Ian, in one year he went through a girlfriend, a fiance and ended up marrying a third woman. Had a prescription drug problem and was probably not the best guy to have in a platoon during this time. It must have been a blast being his squad leader and platoon sgt.

It's amazing we can turn these people into soldiers.

I hope he makes it. Getting married at that age right after a tour in Iraq could turn out to be a disasterous mistake for this guy.

Doug -- you nailed it. They showed this kid warts and all, made for a superior series.

Yep, Doug got it right. I'm not all sure that the Army can be pleased about this. But, there you have it.

Oh, and the shot where he's standing at parade rest getting counselled by his 1stSgt or PltSgt?? I hope they escorted the photographer out of the room and then bounced his punk ass off the lockers.

I doubt Ian was bounced off any walls.
It's been over 20 years since I wore a uniform and even then it took a major f-up to get yourself knocked around. I can't imagine that today, in a world where lawyers lurk in every shadow that an NCO is willing to take the chance to dish out some unit level justice.

Great post! Hope to be better. Better means more features.
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