At which rank am I required to take my DA photo?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 May 2019 11:32:11 -0400

I’ve recently been promoted to SSG (E6). As I entered the NCO status I was always told that DA photos are taken for E6 and above. I even checked HRC’s page on DA photos and seen the same thing. However, an E8 at my unit tells me that’s false, and DA photos are to be taken after I reach E7. I even asked other higher ranking NCOs, and was told the same thing. So now I’m confused, because HRC’s page says one thing, and everybody is saying another. Does anybody know the accurate requirement?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2019 11:39 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 May 2019 11:39:55 -0400

Not sure about today's regulations but I was required to get a DA photo as an SSG back in the early 2000's

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2019 11:49 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 May 2019 11:49:36 -0400

Army Regulations are generally good place to reference. 640-30, ch 5.

Best of luck.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2019 4:20 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 May 2019 16:20:35 -0400

I have a DA photo. As soon as I made 6, my branch reached out to me and said that I needed one within the first 6 months. So, I went and got one done.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 7 at 2019 4:32 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 07 May 2019 16:32:38 -0400

If you wait till reaching E7, then you wont make E7- SFC and above are selected by DA, hence DA photos!. your E8 is misinformed.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made May 8 at 2019 9:23 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Wed, 08 May 2019 09:23:52 -0400

Take your photo now, never know when you may get deployed or sent TDY and there wont be facilities available. Poor or missing photos make the board AAR comments every year from SFC through SGM.