Lev Abramovich Borodulin’s "You’re in the Army Now" (1977) captures the physical and symbolic challenges of military training through its rhythmic visual structure. Taken during a routine exercise, the photograph shows soldiers climbing a massive training net, their scattered forms suspended at various stages of ascent. Borodulin’s framing transforms an ordinary moment into a reflection of transformation, balancing individual struggle with collective purpose.

The net’s rigid grid dominates the composition. Each climber’s posture—some reaching upward, others frozen mid-motion—mirrors the recruits’ journey through military life, symbolizing the process of molding individuals into a unified force. The scattered positions of the soldiers lend the image a rhythmic, almost musical quality, reflecting the tension between individuality and institutional discipline.

The title, "You’re in the Army Now," underscores the transformative nature of military service, marking the transition from civilian to soldier. Personal identity becomes intertwined with collective effort, yet Borodulin preserves traces of individuality—each climber’s unique movement suggests that while they are united in purpose, the struggle remains personal. Borodulin’s use of monochromatic tones heightens the photograph’s impact, with sharp contrasts emphasizing the texture of the net and the climbers’ physical exertion.

Lev Abramovich Borodulin (1923–2018) was a pioneer in Soviet sports photography. Born in Moscow, he served in the Soviet Army during the Great Patriotic War before studying at the Moscow State University of Printing Arts. His career flourished in the 1960s and 70s, earning accolades such as the Olympic gold medal for sports photography in Munich (1971) and “Best Photographer of the Year” by Asahi Shimbun (1967). Borodulin’s work, exhibited internationally and featured in prominent publications, has been sold at major auctions, including Sotheby’s and Christie’s.