Scenario: Should a pregnant Army CPT get a DA photo in her Maternity ASUs for a below the zone promotion board?

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 May 2015 08:43:08 -0400

My wife is a Nurse Corps CPT and is 7 months pregnant. Her last DA photo was NOV 2014 but has since received an MSM and OSR. This will be her BZ look however, she has a stellar record and is competitive for the few BZ promotions the Nurse Corps authorizes to MAJ. Her board convenes in July.

Should she get an updated DA photo in her maternity ASUs?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2015 9:14 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 May 2015 09:14:19 -0400

This is a tuff question I would advise her to go and speak with her superiors and see what they say. Good question.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2015 10:39 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 May 2015 10:39:31 -0400

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member I know that the regulations says, thanks especially to CPT John Hermida and while she has every right to get a new photo, think the same unwritten rules that govern many things that we do as officers would also caution her not to get a new photo for the upcoming board. I voted that she should write a letter to the board, and I think that it should be thoughtful and honest and state that she knows the regulation. The thing that every senior officer has stated when they come back from a board is that you don't want to stand out in your photo, you want the board to focus on your file not your photo.

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 16 at 2015 11:01 AM

COL Charles Williams — Sat, 16 May 2015 11:01:15 -0400

First, if the photo is current, then keep it. If not, then she needs to have a current one. If she is pregnant, then why not? That is an an authorized uniform variant.

I would never ever ever recommend writing a letter to a board; it is a red flag!!!! Trust me; I have been in boards. If she is going to get promoted BZ (very low percentage) it will be based on manner of performance. The photo, must be current. CW4 Private RallyPoint Member

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made May 16 at 2015 11:45 AM

LTC Paul Labrador — Sat, 16 May 2015 11:45:13 -0400

Not having a current photo is a bigger red flag (and an assumption that the officer in question doesn't give a shit enough about their career to keep their file updated) than having a photo where she is obviously pregnant (which is a natural condition and not a discriminator). DA photos are supposed to capture what you look like RIGHT NOW. If she is pregnant right now, that is okay. The Board is smart enough to know that pregnancy is a temporary condition.

Now, that being said, BZ promotion to MAJ for ANC officers is VERY rare. Something like less than 10 are usually picked up. And now that we are drawing down, we are going to see even less. Quite honestly, I would not sweat a BZ board as the chances of getting picked up are slim to begin with. If she get's it, great! But as COL Charles Williams stated, it will be her OERs that get her there, not her photo.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 16 at 2015 12:30 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sat, 16 May 2015 12:30:42 -0400

I re read Paragraph 6 in the regulation. I agree with John Hermida. I also agree with others that letters to the Board are generally a bad idea. Her pre-pregnancy photo is ok.

hanging all your hopes on a BZ look is extremely optimistic. If you have a strong file, then it will carry. Even if you have a strong file, BZ more often than not, doesn't happen. Nominally it is top 5%, but that number is not absolute. It goes down depending on population, branch fill in year group, trades inside her competitive category, etc. what you are saying is that your spouse is one of the top 5 or 8 Nurses in three YGs. If her file is that strong, she will definitely get it PZ. She will also have time to recover physically, get a new photo and be in it to win it.

Does her latest OER reflect the pregnancy in the profile/APFT section?

More importantly, congratulations on the new addition to your family.

Response by SGT Joe Sabedra made May 16 at 2015 12:35 PM

SGT Joe Sabedra — Sat, 16 May 2015 12:35:17 -0400

That is her decision.
If it is listed as an excepted uniform then there is no issue.

Response by SSG VNicia Young made May 16 at 2015 1:16 PM

SSG VNicia Young — Sat, 16 May 2015 13:16:14 -0400

No with her being pregnant she is not required to her photo. She has up to six months to update it all after pregnancy. I would have went to my chain of command.

Response by LTC Scott O'Neil made May 16 at 2015 7:50 PM

LTC Scott O'Neil — Sat, 16 May 2015 19:50:19 -0400

Go to DA and personally submit your updates and current photo along with a letter to the President of the Board.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2015 8:44 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 May 2015 20:44:58 -0400

It is a personal decision, however, if it were myself, I would go get one in the maternity uniform. It's very rare to get picked up BZ these days, but it is still important to match the uniform to the ORB. By regulation she doesn't have to if her current picture is recent, but personally, it takes balls to get a maternity DA. I say go for it.

Response by TSgt Jackie Jones made May 18 at 2015 12:19 AM

TSgt Jackie Jones — Mon, 18 May 2015 00:19:48 -0400

I was not Army, so we did it a little different. I read the previous comments about what the requirements are and this is my thought: As a woman- who has been pregnant, once in the service and once out- if the board requires updated photos, but exempts pregnant ones, I would take the photo. I'd look sharp and on point. And I wouldn't skip something because I was pregnant. Obviously toward the end of my pregnancy PT was a challenge, but I still went out with my troops and participated with what I could. I went to schools, and worked until the few days before he was born. If a "pregnant" photo is a reason for a no promote, that board needs a realignment.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 8:45 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 08:45:09 -0400

If you have a current photo, and you are showing the board that you care enough (even during pregnancy) to be within regulations, then that is the best option. Any Red Flag you can prevent from being raised, the better off you are.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made May 18 at 2015 9:00 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Mon, 18 May 2015 09:00:16 -0400

Can someone explain why the Army requires a photo for a promotion package?

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 19 at 2015 12:09 AM

PO1 John Miller — Tue, 19 May 2015 00:09:33 -0400

I was not in the Army nor am I an officer, but yes she should. She has received high(er) raking medals since her last photo, and as long as she's within Army uniform regulations (AR 670-1 I believe), I don't see an issue.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made May 19 at 2015 1:27 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Tue, 19 May 2015 01:27:32 -0400

The SGM in me says , strictly follow the Reg, that means if a new DA photo is required get it.. wear the authorized uniform correctly and NO letter to the board. There is nothing to explain ....
Award received dictated new photo, new photo taken,, whats to explain??

The realist in me accepts what is right may not be best.. and that humans sitting the board may follow thoughts, feelings preconceived notions as well as interpret regulations and board instructions. Be that as it may,,,,,, I don't feel I have best insight on what is "best" for chances at being selected BZ.

Id like to think the board members would follow the regulations and reward an officer that did so as well. .. Id bet that's not always the case.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 2 at 2016 1:00 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 13:00:20 -0400

All service members should follow the regulation, you should be proud that you are pregnant and able to serve. The total Army Family is not a myth. Great job.