When taking a DA photo, should females have to arrange their decorations on-site to compensate for height and angle of the camera?

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 12:35:54 -0400

I just took a DA Photo for my first look and I noticed too late that my CSIB is crooked. Everything is dead-on straight from the front, but certain female curves alter the appearance from the required DA Photo angle. How much do promotion board members generally account for that? Should females have to arrange their decorations on-site to compensate for height and angle of the camera?

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Apr 12 at 2017 12:37 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 12:37:40 -0400

It happens with males too... a lot of ASU's appear to be made in Sweat Shops, and have wavy, crooked pockets, or irregular lines. Decorations and accoutrements can be perfectly straight, but appear crooked at a slightly different angle, or if the person shifts posture... I suspect board members know this...

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2017 3:00 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 15:00:34 -0400

MSG Private RallyPoint Member Females should not have to arrange their decorations for camera angle. The individual taking the picture should adjust for a good photo.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Apr 12 at 2017 4:33 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 16:33:57 -0400

Always take a buddy to the photo appointment, regardless of gender the angles can make stuff look out of whack especially after the photographer does the taping and posing.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2017 10:07 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 22:07:42 -0400

A new update to Army Regulation 640-30 - Official DA Photo was released recently. Look it up on apd.mil. Hopefully it helps you get clarification. Good luck!

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made Apr 24 at 2017 1:28 PM

MSgt Mark Bucher — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 13:28:28 -0400

How is it the photographer's responsibility to tape or alter the perspective to compensate for the female form? I shot photographs for 24 years in the AF, on the occasions that we had to do DA photos, I refused to tape, stuff, or alter perspective to hide or align something. Used to anger Army troops to no end, but in the AF, we were directed NOT to do those things. Another good one was when one of my young one's came to me after an Army E-6 SSG told her to "photoshop", or alter an image. When I finished with the Army SSG, he had learned what the meaning of OSI was. There's an official DoD policy regarding the alteration of official imagery using digital methods

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2020 2:29 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 14:29:31 -0400

This is a concern I had when it came to the DA Photo. Even when I'm standing still my uniform seems to only be off cause a soldier is taller or shorter than me. That perspective kills and hope the board members are aware of that discrepancy. Last thing I need to be told is that my photo was off when I had multiple senior enlisted leaders saying I'm good to go.

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made Mar 11 at 2020 3:00 PM

MSgt Mark Bucher — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 15:00:09 -0400

In a word, no. The regs state the uniform should be correct as worn. If promotion boards expect something contrary to regulation, do away with the photo requirement. AF eliminated back in the mid 90s. Promoting based on appearance is biased and wrong

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2020 3:21 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 15:21:30 -0400

I'm not a big believer in systemic oppression.....but that's exactly what this is.