Items to be worn/not worn on ASU for DA Photo?

SSG Dan McIntosh — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 12:10:09 -0500

Here's my question:  I have been told by a senior NCO a few years back, something that has stuck with me even until now, but currently I am unsure as to the validity of this information.  The issue pertains only to two areas of the ASU for a DA Photo.First: DUI, are they to be worn or not worn on the ASU for a DA Photo?Second: Unit Awards, are they to be worn or not worn on the ASU? I am aware, if you were/are in a unit that receives an award, that that award is a permanent award that you can wear on your ASU.  But for a DA Photo, do you wear unit awards that are not permanent? I have tried to research the RallyPoint Discussions but unable to find one that answered this question.  As always, if you are able to provide a regulation, in any form, please post a link to it or direct quote that regulation.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Dec 3 at 2013 1:09 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 13:09:43 -0500

DO WEAR:
- Unit Crest
- Regimental Crest
- PERMANENT Unit Citations (only if the award is annotated on your ERB)

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Dec 3 at 2013 1:11 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 13:11:11 -0500

DO NOT WEAR:
- Infantry Cords, Blue Discs, or Flash
- Leadership Tabs
- French Fourragere

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2013 3:05 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 15:05:05 -0500

SSG McIntosh, hope this helps:

The following Army Regulations govern Official Photographs: AR 640-30 - Photographs for Military Human Resources Records; AR 670-01 - Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia; AR 600-8-22 - Military Awards; DA PAM 25-91- Visual Information Procedures

Effective 1 JUL 2009 Soldiers may wear either the (green) Class A Uniform or the NEW (blue) Army Service Uniform. The green uniform is authorized until the fourth quarter of the year 2014. Soldiers cannot wear the old dress blues. The Soldier is responsible for ensuring that his or her uniform fits properly, is pressed and that all ribbons/medals/badges/rank are correctly displayed for official military photographs. ** IAW Army regulation, Soldiers, anyone assisting the soldier or D.A. Photo Studio photographers cannot not pin, clip, stuff, or otherwise change or alter the appearance of the uniform to make it fit properly.** Female service members may wear either the skirt or slacks for their photo. Wear Distinctive Unit Insignia (Unit Crests). Unit crests and your unit patch are the only exceptions to the permanent rule. Soldiers who are regimentally affiliated should wear their Regimental Distinctive Insignia. Wear only those unit citations that you have permanent orders for and are listed on your ERB, ORB, or other personnel records. The wearing of one (1) foreign award is authorized. Do not wear French Fourrageres. Do not wear blue Infantry cords or discs. Do not wear green leadership tabs. The photograph is a ¾ length photo; shoes will not show in the photo, but you are required to have something on your feet other than socks

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2013 10:57 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 22:57:34 -0500

Great question. On standby...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2014 3:59 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 15:59:36 -0400

SSG, this could serve as a quick reference guide.

Response by SPC Lat Ray made Apr 22 at 2015 2:39 PM

SPC Lat Ray — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 14:39:58 -0400

Prior Service, now full circle working for the Army as a DA Photographer.

1: Are DUI's required for the DA photo .... Yes .... AR 640-30 (on the HRC check list) 7 (3) "Distinctive Unit Insignia (Crests) will be worn and are the only exceptions from the permanent rule"
2: With the Unit Awards the MOI has changed back and forth. Currently the MOI is that if you were assigned to the unit when it got the award and this is reflected in your records then you wear it. I would have to get back to you on the last MOI number, but you can find it on the HRC site.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2015 2:49 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 14:49:02 -0400

I know this is an old topic but REGs have changed. Now that regimental affiliation is not tracked on the ERB do you wear regimental affiliation on a DA photo?

Response by Lt Col Paul Maxwell made May 11 at 2017 7:07 PM

Lt Col Paul Maxwell — Thu, 11 May 2017 19:07:16 -0400

Ah yes, the incredible level of fine point and frequently contradictory "rules" and guidelines for the DA PHOTO. Remembered fondly. Board members performing Microscopic examination w magnifying glasses looking for flaws. I get the " attention to detail" factor... but always thought that perhaps evaluations might provide more usable data for selection committees.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made May 11 at 2017 7:15 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Thu, 11 May 2017 19:15:24 -0400

You wear only what you have on your ERB. They are going to cross reference your DA photo with your awards and decorations list on your ERB and if something is off that could negatively affect you.

Response by SSG Darrell Peters made May 11 at 2017 7:26 PM

SSG Darrell Peters — Thu, 11 May 2017 19:26:57 -0400

I seen a Sergeant Major show up for a Unit Inspection wearing a Knighthood Order. What confused me is the Knighthood Order was a Church Knighthood and not from any Foreign Government. I know one may wear Foreign Decorations I thought the Limit was 3. However, Would an Order of Knighthood fall into this category?

Response by PO1 RIchard Petty made May 11 at 2017 9:06 PM

PO1 RIchard Petty — Thu, 11 May 2017 21:06:23 -0400

It was confusing to read this with all the different uniforms you guys have and what to wear on what uniform for pictures or just wear. In the Navy you earned it you wear it be unit, personal awards, and warfare devices (but only two warfare devices can be worn on uniform) and if your are CMC, CSC Badges or any other badge that you are authorized to wear.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made May 12 at 2017 6:43 PM

SGT Tony Clifford — Fri, 12 May 2017 18:43:00 -0400

Only wear what is on your ERB. I heard people mention leadership tabs as forbidden, but if you're wearing ASUs you're not authorized leadership tabs anyways. That was for the greens which are no longer in service.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2017 11:02 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 11:02:31 -0400

Awesome discussion and information. I've always had to remove foreign awards for DA photos, and I'd swear I've seen that in regs previously. Looking at the regs now though it appears that you can wear them. Anyone know if this was a recent change, or what's the story on this?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2017 8:52 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 20:52:23 -0400

I think that it is good to have a forum to ask questions but I don't like that a lot of Soldiers will/can not look anything up on there own. ( like can you give me a specific quote)

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Feb 22 at 2018 10:51 PM

MSG John Duchesneau — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 22:51:55 -0500

The best thing to do is to read AR 670-1. If there is something which is not clear in the reg ask you Squad Leader/Platoon Sergeant/First Sergeant for clarification. As to the DA photo the DA should put out guidance. I would suspect that non-permanent unit awards should not be worn but that's just my opinion. Better to get clarification from the source.

Response by PO3 William Quakenbush made Jun 25 at 2018 11:30 AM

PO3 William Quakenbush — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 11:30:30 -0400

See this is an interesting conversation as I'm wondering myself since I'm prior Navy and am going into the Army will my awards and ribbons carry over or are they just mantle pieces.

Response by CSM John Mead made Jun 25 at 2018 1:27 PM

CSM John Mead — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 13:27:27 -0400

Remember that 670-1 is your bible on these issues. The facility that takes DA photos are also very knowledgeable on the regulations concerning which awards are authorized for wear. Only awards that were personally awarded you are authorized for wear in the photo. If you were in a unit that received a unit award, you should have received orders with your name listed. All others that aren’t awarded to you personally cannot be worn. If you have any awards not listed in your 2-1, get it updated. Typically, in a DA Promotion Selection Board, SFC and above, the photo is accompanied by your 2-1. Again, make sure both are correct and updated. Take a new picture annually and always have as many eyes as possible go over your uniform. If you look bad, selection is usually a no go.

Response by SFC Carlos Cruz made Jun 25 at 2018 7:36 PM

SFC Carlos Cruz — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 19:36:26 -0400

SSG Dan McIntosh, I am very surprised the today NCO don’t know this answer.
"Army Regulation 640-30 outlines the Soldier's responsibility when taking the photo. And in that regulation, it states that Soldiers must come in with a properly fitted and pressed uniform. ... "Most Soldiers need a DA photo for a promotion, and a promotion is an evaluation.Aug 21, 2015

Response by Kerry Eakins made Jun 25 at 2018 9:10 PM

Kerry Eakins — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 21:10:49 -0400

A pledge pin

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2018 10:03 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 22:03:15 -0400

Oh my, why would any good NCO say such a thing, oh...I know why. It's usually because those are the most missed things in your records and you want your DA photo to be a facsimile of your records. You should only have what your records can back. SOOOO Make sure your records (ERB) is correct. I've heard it a million times but here it goes. Only YOU are in charge of your career. (And never give original copies of anything).

Response by CSM David Draughn made Jun 26 at 2018 12:07 AM

CSM David Draughn — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:07:12 -0400

AR 670-1 is a good start. There is a DA Pamphlet now that replaced the Awards criteria regulation I think. Just “Google” “Army uniforms and/or criteria for US Army awards and decorations. AR 670-1 is the “How and Where” regulation for wear and display of awards, medals, etc. the DA Pam tells one who qualifies for wear, etc.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2018 8:56 AM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 08:56:29 -0400

Ar 670-1 clearly states with unit sitations if you were with the unit when it was given then its permanat

Response by CW4 Randy Pace made Jun 26 at 2018 10:56 AM

CW4 Randy Pace — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 10:56:53 -0400

My understanding is that when you are assigned a unit, you may wear the awards that unit has earned, regardless. Once you leave that unit, you may no longer wear that uint award. As you said, if you were a member of that unit when the award was presented, you may wear that aware in perpetuity.

Response by SGT Philip Bahr made May 14 at 2019 1:08 PM

SGT Philip Bahr — Tue, 14 May 2019 13:08:20 -0400

Do not wear your fraternity pledge pin!

Response by SSG Harry Herres made Jan 25 at 2020 12:01 PM

SSG Harry Herres — Sat, 25 Jan 2020 12:01:17 -0500

I must be old, never heard of a Unit Award.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2020 9:16 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jan 2020 21:16:03 -0500

You may only wear permanent awards for a DA photo. If you were not in the unit when the award was conferred, it can be worn while serving with the unit but must come off for the official DA photo and when you leave the unit.

Response by SSG Jason Penn made Jan 16 at 2021 7:09 PM

SSG Jason Penn — Sat, 16 Jan 2021 19:09:41 -0500

As a retiree, I have had several DA photos taken. The answer is simple, if it is permanent, then you wear it, if not permanent, you don't. I was assigned to 3ID and for one of my photos, I had to take off the French Fourragere that the Unit earned in WWII. Why? Because I wasn't a part of the unit when the award was earned being that it happened about 2 1/2 decades before I was even born. Same with DUIs, They are not permanent, so take them off for the photo. The Infantry Cord is the only exception that I know of, because it is permanent, but you don't wear it for the photo. The folks who take the photo are well versed in what is allowed and what isn't, so they will help you out if you have any questions.

Response by CPL Benjamin Cousins made Jan 31 at 2021 2:06 PM

CPL Benjamin Cousins — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 14:06:56 -0500

It seems that AR 670-1 is as confusing now as it has ever been, but at least you’re not 1st ID because they change what color patch you’re supposed to wear every other week. I suppose that doesn’t apply to dress uniform. Anyways thank you for carrying on the traditions of our people. ARMT DAWGS FOR LIFE!