DA Photo Advice?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 11:30:54 -0400

I had a 1SG who is a friend of mine look over my DA Photo. He ended up taking it to his CSM for his input. Besides a couple minor issues that I missed (Irish pennants) there was one glaring issue he brought up. Due to the fact that I have such a small frame. I’m 6’ 145lbs my lapel covers my awards like crazy. Even with offset ribbon holders. And row 3rd award half covered 3rd row middle award half covered, 4th row 3rd award can’t be seen, etc. I have attached a photo of that for reference. I have been advised to help mitigate to switch to 4 awards per row but I have been unable to locate where to purchase a rack to accommodate. And I still believe I will continue to run into the same issue. Any advise or even a link to where I can look to fix this discrepancy would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2018 12:43 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 12:43:01 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member see attached link. It has quite a few options.
https://www.ezrackbuilder.com/rack-builder/home

EzRackBuilder - Regulation Rack Builder for all Military Branches & Shadow Box Builder

Rack Builder - The Ez Rack Builder Sets in Correct Order Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Ribbon Racks. Orders ship within 24 Hours.

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made Aug 22 at 2018 1:12 PM

CPT Jim Schwebach — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 13:12:00 -0400

By displaying your awards in the four per row format you will be able to more fully display your ribbons but some will remain partially obscured but not completely hidden. In going to four per row you will be able to align your rack with the outer edge of the pocket flap. Based on your description you have 15 ribbons. Using the four ribbon rows the layout would be: Row 1 - four(The innermost partially obscured), Row 2, four(the innermost minimally obscured), Row 3 - three(The innermost partially obscured), Row 4 - two(the innermost minimally obscured)and Row 5 - two(the innermost minimally obscured). I'm 5"6" and wear the four ribbon row arrangement(on Greens) at 4,4,3,3,2,2,1. As for a mount that will allow this sort of rack, Vanguard makes a plastic mount that acommodates up to thirty or so ribbons in a four per row format. They are available at http://www.milfordarmynavy.com/product_p/77207862.htm. Hope this helps.

US Military Ribbon Mounting Kit: MEGA MOUNT - No Space - Clear Plastic - holds 4 to 32 Ribbons

Milford Army Navy offers thousands of regulation military uniform insignia, patches, and accessories for all service branches of the United States Military!

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Aug 22 at 2018 1:13 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 13:13:01 -0400

You could go to four a row but I think that you are going to still run into a bit of this issue. You just allow for a couple of extra awards to be seen. I don't think that it is necessarily an issue - or at least not one that you will be dinged for. You can usually find four wide racks online. My go to is usually Medals of America; they are pretty good.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 22 at 2018 1:16 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 13:16:31 -0400

Can you offset the rack to be flush with the pocket?

Response by 1SG Jeremy Evans made Aug 22 at 2018 1:52 PM

1SG Jeremy Evans — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 13:52:46 -0400

I would see if the cleaners could adjust and re-press your lapel.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 25 at 2018 12:38 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 12:38:23 -0400

Medals of America does 4 rows, it is cheap, but it comes STRAC and lasts forever. They stand by their product and are fantastic to work with.