Questions 13 & 14

I think many of the things the soldiers carried then and carry now are the same for many reasons. They still need items for protection, defense, and communication. However, I think that the military should have by now found out how to manufacture those items so that they weigh much less and take up much less space in a soldier's pack. I do not know anything about the military and what specific items they are forced to carry, though I am sure there is a good reason for each and every one. The items that they choose to carry, however are the ones that are really important. They are the pictures of their family, mementos, keepsakes, letters, etc. They are what really keep the soldiers going through such tough times.

I can't speak for other students, because I don't know what they carry around. I know for myself I try to make my load as light as possible. Necessary books and class items and my wallet and cell phone are about it. I don't have an Ipod, I don't carry around makeup or fashion magazines. When I'm not in school, I'm usually lugging around a diaper bag with diapers, wipes, cookies, milk, toys, bibs, an extra change of clothes for Carter, and the list goes on and on. There is one place I don't bother to try to lighten the load, because it's not worth it in that case. On campus, though, I think students carry all sorts of stuff around for convenience, which is the big difference in students and soldiers. Soldiers carry those items not by choice, but by necessity.