Military History 4th Marking Period Project: Veteran Archive Project

Your project this marking period is to research the military experience of a veteran (or current service personnel) from either the community or your family.

The subject of your project may either be a family member, family friend, or community member that either has served in the military or is currently serving in the military.  Alternatively, your subject may be a family member with military service who has subsequently passed away but you can still effectively research.

The purpose of this project is to give you first had experience in conducting historical research as well as to learn about the life experience of those who serve/have served in the military.

How do I accomplish this project?

For a living veteran/service person you will need to make contact with that person and arrange to interview them.  This can be done a variety of ways:

• In person
• Over the phone
• Via email

You will need to devise a list of interview questions that will connect with that person's experience (see suggested list below to get you started).

Once you have completed the interview, you need to type a copy of it (questions and responses) and then prepare a presentation about your subject that you will give before the class.  If you are able to acquire photographs of your subject that you can include in the presentation that would be ideal.  Finally, you are to write a brief essay 1-2 pages, typed, double-spaced, reflecting on what you learned from this experience (this may be attached to the typed interview).

For a deceased veteran you will need to conduct research about this person.  You may interview other family members and research family documents (such as letters and photographs).  You may also need to do some research about the time period, conflict, or branch of service, and unit your subject belonged to.

Once your research is complete, you are to write a military biography of your subject (3-5 pages) and also prepare a presentation about them for the class.  Inclusion of images of photographs, documents, and personal possessions would be ideal as well.  Finally, you are to write a brief essay 1-2 pages, typed, double-spaced, reflecting on what you learned from this experience (this may be attached to the typed biography).

Presentations will take place on Monday and Tuesday, May 4th and 5th.  Your written materials will be due on Monday, May 4th.

Your grade will be based on the following:

• following directions and completing all aspects of the assignment
• the quality and detail of your interview/research
• the quality and professionalism of your presentation
• presentations may use powerpoint, etc.
• you may use notes but this is to be a practiced presentation
• presentations should detail the experience of your subject
• presentations should include your own reflections/what you learned
• total length should be approximately 8-10 minutes 

Interview etiquette:

• Always get permission to record an interview prior to the interview.
• Tell them what the interview is for and how the information will be used.
• The subject may always refuse to answer a specific question or discuss a particular topic (you may ask prior to the interview if there is anything they do not wish to talk about).
• If possible let the subject see your list of questions ahead of time.
• Offer your subject a copy of the typed interview once you have completed that.
• Ask permission before you take any pictures of the subject or of any of their possessions (photographs, a uniform, etc.).
• Allow the subject to elaborate, ask their own questions, and tell you what matters to them--this is often where the best information comes from!

Possible questions (not an exhaustive list):

• how did you come to be/why are you serving in the military?
• how much choice did you/do have in getting your particular job/role?
• what was the training like?  
• what did you like most about it?
• what did you like least about it?
• Was/has the military been the way you thought it would be?  How so/not?
• how long did you/will you stay in the military?
• what are the relationships like?  Friends?  Relationships between soldiers and officers?
• did you ever see any combat?  If so, could you tell me about it? (be sensitive with this question)
• what did/does your military service mean to you?  Do you think it changed/is changing you?
• what would you say to a high school student like me about serving in the military?