Annika Schröder, a German war hero who served in Afghanistan and developed PTSD, now runs a veteran farm near Leipzig. Photographer Jan Kraus captured her in uniform for his series 'In Uniform', which explores the relationship between the state and the individual.
The Good Friday Battle and its Aftermath
Schröder served in the German military for nearly 20 years. Deployed to Afghanistan, her unit was involved in the Good Friday Battle, the largest German military engagement since World War II. She recovered two dead soldiers and one heavily wounded comrade. Subsequently, she developed severe post-traumatic stress disorder, which took the Bundeswehr over a decade to fully recognize. She was discharged as unfit for duty.
The Veteran Farm
Today, Schröder receives a full army pension and runs a veteran farm outside Leipzig, where she keeps pigs, geese, and two dogs. The farm promotes self-sufficiency, which aids her PTSD. She offers two spare attic rooms to other former soldiers with PTSD, no questions asked. 'If you're really feeling shit, you can come here. I've been there,' she says.
Photographing Uniforms at Home
Kraus began the series in 2023, photographing uniformed individuals in their private homes to show the dynamic between the private person and the state. He notes that about 80% of his subjects shared common ground with him. One exception is Schröder, who insisted on wearing shoes with her uniform because 'to represent the country properly, the uniform has to be worn completely.'
Diverse Subjects
Kraus photographed a range of people, including Anastasia Biefang, the first openly transgender battalion commander in the German military, who has led up to 700 soldiers. The project sparked debate among friends who questioned whether it was an advertisement for the Bundeswehr. Kraus emphasizes the importance of dialogue: 'Don't discuss over social media. Sit down and talk to people, even if you might not agree.'
Schröder attended Kraus's first exhibition, despite finding crowded spaces difficult. She maintains a public profile on Instagram but has little involvement with the art world. Kraus was pleased with the project's positive outcome, noting that persistence and trust in one's gut are key.
