German war hero Annika on her farm for veterans: The best picture by Jan Kraus | Art and design

Annika Schröder’s story is truly remarkable. He was a soldier here in Germany for about 20 years. He joined when he was young, adventurous and needed to earn money – they let him do fun things like jump out of airplanes and drive a tank. But then he was sent to Afghanistan, and a month later his team was sent to rescue people, which is now famous as the Fifth War – the biggest battle of the German army since the Second World War. They also found two soldiers who were dead and one who was seriously injured, but he became very ill after being seriously injured. It took the Bundeswehr (German army) more than a decade to realize this. At this point he was fired because he said he was no longer fit to do his job. In 2025 there was a television about his life.

He now receives all the military pension money he can afford and has started a so-called old-fashioned farm outside Leipzig, where he raises pigs and geese and two dogs. This photo was taken in his kitchen. Being confident helps with his PTSD and while the dog in the picture is not a service dog, it helps keep him calm.

I started shooting these kinds of pictures in 2023. I liked to look at the visuals of what “government” means, especially in this time when defense costs are rising. When you see a person on the street wearing a police or military uniform, you get a better understanding of the government so I thought that by photographing people in uniform in their homes, you can show the power between an individual, a good citizen, and a member of the government.

I come from the left wing, and I know one person who joined the Bundeswehr. I photographed her holding her baby, who was drinking from a cup of milk. I was surprised to find that I had a lot in common with about 80% of the people I talked to – I could go out for a drink with them. Most of my contacts have come through people I’ve photographed before, so I’m probably on a roll again. But I tried to make it as varied as I could. I photographed Anastasia Biefang, a transgender person who has led 700 soldiers. In 2017, she became the first openly German army commander. He is very famous: he also has his own documents.

Most of the people in these stories, because they are in their homes, are not wearing shoes. Annika is one of the few people who insisted on wearing shoes, because for her, to represent the country well, the uniform must be worn completely. Finally being recognized by the Bundeswehr for how he had helped his country, and how this affected him, was very painful for him.

They have two rooms upstairs where they let some ex-soldiers with PTSD stay, no questions asked, it’s just: “If you feel bad, you can come here. I’ve been there.” If you send someone to war, don’t expect them to come back the same way and reciprocate as if nothing had happened. You have to take care of those people.

He came to my first show of the series, and it was huge, full of people – which is difficult for him, and while he maintains a public record with An Instagram accounthe says he has nothing to do with photography or art. But he came with his father and I was very happy to see him.

I am very happy with how this project turned out. I honestly had no idea where it would lead and it turned out better than I expected. Some of my friends said: “I don’t agree at all that you should go see this Nato soldier – are you making a commercial for the Bundeswehr?” But I just talk to them and take pictures – it’s funny how that starts a debate. I would call them and ask: “Hey, can we come to your house and take a picture?” And then I would go there and sit down and talk to them – we talked for hours – and I learned a lot. Maybe it’s the message that comes from this project. Do not discuss on social media. Sit down and talk to people, even if you don’t agree.

In Uniform by Jan Kraus published by Verlag Kettler

CV of Jan Kraus

Born: Gelchsheim, Bavaria, 1985
Above: After six weeks Igloolik in the Canadian arctic is an Inuit group that is documenting the shooting Hunting with My Parents’ Bowhead whale episode by director Zacharias Kunuk
Top tips: Persistence: if you work long enough on the list there will be good pictures. And trust your gut