Can anyone explain to me why I have to take off my distinctive Infantry items for my DA Photo.

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Apr 2014 23:39:47 -0400

 Its what I earned just as any other award.  Im just looking for a good answer.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Apr 12 at 2014 11:48 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Sat, 12 Apr 2014 23:48:17 -0400

Have you looked through AR 640-30?

Response by 1SG Johnny Carter made Apr 12 at 2014 11:56 PM

1SG Johnny Carter — Sat, 12 Apr 2014 23:56:30 -0400

Hmmm that is a good question, I didn't think you had to at all.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2014 12:18 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 00:18:42 -0400

This is the Fort Stewart DA Photo website. It states clearly that no Infantry cords or disks to be worn. I have yet to find out why.

http://www.stewart.army.mil/mvisc/daphoto.asp

DA Photo/Multimedia Visual Infomation Service Center - DA PHOTO Team Stewart

Provide Soldiers with Official Department of the Army Photographs.
Upload and track the status of Official DA photos on the Department of the Army Photo Management Information System (DAP...

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2014 12:29 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 00:29:39 -0400

You have to take off anything that is not a permanent award and you can change MOSs so it would not be permanent. This could be the only justification although I don't know about Infantry stuff specifically in fact I though while you were in an infantry billet you should be able to wear it. I do know that a CPT looking at the MAJ board who was IN and switch to Signal was non-selected because he was wearing his old infantry cord. Either way it is worth following the rules vs. getting non-selected.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2015 9:44 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 09:44:35 -0400

There are no military orders published for the award of the Infantry cord or discs. You cannot wear anything on your uniform for a DA photo that you do not have permanent orders for except

SSI/FWS
Unit crests
Unit awards (received while assigned to that unit)

Response by SFC Michael Jackson, MBA made Apr 26 at 2015 8:56 PM

SFC Michael Jackson, MBA — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 20:56:34 -0400

My opinion: It's a DA photo. Meaning, you represent the Department of the Army. MOS is immaterial. Everyone is on an even playing field. Removing it reduces the possibility of a actual or perceived competitive advantage or conversely, a disadvantage.

Response by 1SG Charles Hunter made Mar 17 at 2016 11:28 AM

1SG Charles Hunter — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 11:28:31 -0400

It makes no sense to me. The rationale that "all must look the same" doesn't fly since you compete for promotion with other 11-series soldiers, not with cannon cockers or rotor heads. If you are assigned to an infantry slot, and hold the 11-series MOS, the distinctive accessories should reflect that.

If your situation changes (reclass or transfer to a non-infantry position), updating your photo isn't a major challenge.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Feb 22 at 2018 11:30 PM

MSG John Duchesneau — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 23:30:23 -0500

The answer is this - the DA photo is to show only the permanent uniform items the soldier in the photograph is entitled to wear. (Distinctive unit insignia being the only exception.) That is why you can't wear jump boots, airborne flashes behind your jump wings, non-permanent unit awards, leadership tabs etc. As with the other items, the Infantry distinctive items are only for temporary wear - while the Infantryman is assigned to an Infantry unit while serving in an Infantry MOS. Although you have probably spent your entire career in Infantry slots, you may, one day, have a non-Infantry assignment and not be authorized to wear them.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2018 3:34 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 15:34:36 -0400

It never made sense to me either. Even reading the reason why is lame.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Nov 28 at 2018 12:54 PM

SGT Richard H. — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 12:54:21 -0500

Because they don't want those who review the photos to become aroused.