Who smiles in their DA Photo?

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 20:32:23 -0500

I just took mine, I always smile. My CSM said he's never seen it before -

but then he said "This is your one and only handshake with the board members...and actually now that I think about it, I might smile in my future DA Photos."

PS - I edited out my photo because it keeps showing up in google images :/

Also, I as an edit since this is almost a year old - I got picked up on this board with this photo and smile

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2014 8:37 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 20:37:59 -0500

I never did smile, but I hear that's "the thing to do" nowadays. I read here on RallyPoint that you "should" smile in your DA photo. When I was on active duty, the "guidance" was to look serious. Smiling was (I think, at least) out of the quesiton.

Good for you, CW2 Private RallyPoint Member!

Response by PO1 Autumn Sandeen made Nov 7 at 2014 8:53 PM

PO1 Autumn Sandeen — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 20:53:05 -0500

I am soooo confused by reality, apparently. A "picture perfect" soldier looks like an unhappy soldier, but if that "picture perfect" soldier actually is unhappy and then separates from service because they're unhappy...

Ugh. Even if I were told a "serious" photo of me was professionally the better course, I probably still would've smiled in any official photo -- if only at the corners of my mouth. I liked the Navy for most of my career, and my face would've shown it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2014 9:17 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 21:17:52 -0500

My thought is this: you can look like a person in your photo, or an expletive. I think the message to which modern boards are more sensitive is that you are a whole person and leader, not a fear-monger. Your photo, for whatever it's worth, is your handshake. How has scowling worked out for you in other hand shaking situations?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2014 3:31 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 03:31:41 -0500

I tried to smile on my last photo, but the camera broke.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2014 1:49 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 13:49:30 -0500

If you look to the left of this, you will see that I don't. But, if you can, why not? Like you said in your original post, it is your one and only handshake with the board members. It is not like the 5 or 6 board where you are physically there.

Response by SFC Melker Johansson made Nov 9 at 2014 4:40 PM

SFC Melker Johansson — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 16:40:10 -0500

I don't smile. I need to uphold my image as a curmudgeon.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2014 9:09 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 21:09:08 -0500

Good photo!!! Think I'll smile for mine

Response by SSG Bethany Viglietta made Dec 11 at 2014 4:46 PM

SSG Bethany Viglietta — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 16:46:58 -0500

I am about a month late, but I agree that you should smile in your pictures. I smile 90% of the time anyways, why should the DA Photo or my military ID be any different? Especially because the DA photo and what is on paper are the only things that are going to get me promoted from this moment on. :)

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2014 11:24 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 11:24:06 -0500

I think that smiling in your photo makes the board more enthused about meeting you and listening to you. Who wants to talk to someone who looks pissed off all the time? I know I don't!

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2014 3:05 PM

CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 15:05:16 -0500

Chaplains were directed by the Chief of Chaplains to smile in their DA Photos. Even so, the direction was to look friendly and approachable but not to overdo it. I usually smile pretty big, but in my DA Photo I smiled a little. I mean, if the chaplain ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. Lol.

Response by Sgt Richard Schooler made Dec 15 at 2014 3:35 PM

Sgt Richard Schooler — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 15:35:21 -0500

It's good to smile, shows you are confident and self respecting in my opinion!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2015 12:28 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 00:28:49 -0500

I tell you what. I like it. I have a horrible smile. But if I were a board member, and the tie came down to you and a sour face, I'd probably vote for you. Coz it makes me laugh. But it also makes me think that soldiers see this and come to you for advise and mentorship. I picture paints a thousand words. Good luck. Hope you et picked up.

Response by SPC Matthew Birkinbine made Jan 15 at 2015 1:28 AM

SPC Matthew Birkinbine — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 01:28:57 -0500

You know, for DA photos, and professional ones of any nature, I hadn't in the past, because of "what I was taught" but it aligns well with something I heard from a Ranger sergeant once. "Why take life so serious? I try to stand out in every photo I'm in." Y'all should have seen the biggest grin I've ever seen on a guy's face, right in the middle of my WLC class and platoon photos! Seeing it was priceless! That, and if a chaplain was told to look approachable, well, why shouldn't I look approachable too? Shouldn't I be just as happy, and proud about my service as s/he? I think I will, when I get to that point.

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Jan 15 at 2015 2:09 AM

PO2 Steven Erickson — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 02:09:16 -0500

Ok. I'm a squid from the 1980's..

What's a DA photo?

I once was told that my security clearance application to a Persian Gulf client was "unacceptable" because I smiled in the photo. Passport photos are the same deal, right?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2015 12:21 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 12:21:01 -0500

No!!!! NCO's don't smile!!!

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2015 12:29 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 12:29:16 -0500

I'm a smiler. No shame. Every day in uniform is a reason to smile, right?! Every time I've taken a photo it meant I was close to a big accomplishment, and that's a reason to smile.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2015 1:25 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 13:25:10 -0500

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member , I like the smile. As long it looks natural, then you will not go wrong smiling or not. However, your photo lab put 5 lines in your name block, and the reg says only 4 are allowed. Your entire name should be on line one.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Jan 15 at 2015 2:03 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 14:03:14 -0500

I couldn't resist the opportunity to smile without teeth, but frankly wanted to show some on my command photo. DA Photo, I guess I like the serious "I am a bad ass" face that most some to expect on them. However, like Mr. Starritt eluded too, a natural smile will always look great, no offense to you loving and being happy in what we do daily. I don't smile with teeth usually cause of the extra wrinkles created under the eyes!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2015 3:56 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 15:56:24 -0500

After the abomination below, I will always smile. I was told never to do so, so I made a face which I thought was noble, proud, stoic. I ended up looking tired, disinterested, cranky. And about 7 years older. Even my posture is terrible. Luckily, this one won't see any board file!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2015 6:37 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 18:37:18 -0500

This is a different approach and I wish you the best of luck in the incoming board.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2015 9:30 PM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 21:30:00 -0500

I wanted to smile but the guy taking the picture said don't smile. I think ill smile on the next one though. CSM is right! That is your one and only time with the board so why not smile??

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2015 5:18 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 05:18:34 -0500

I'm not much of a smiler but I think I'll smile on my next DA Photo. Thanks, CW2 Private RallyPoint Member!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2015 6:09 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 06:09:32 -0500

Funny Story:
Many years ago I waited my turn for my DA photo with a non-combat arms officer in front of me. As I observed her reviewing her photos, I noticed she was smiling in them. I asked her about it since I had always been under the impression, as a combat arms, steely-eyed killer, my DA photo had to be somber. (She did not convince me to smile in my own DA Photo!)
Years later, in discussions with a new combat arms boss, he made the comment that the year he was selected for battalion command he had a small smile in his DA Photo, and that Infantry Branch had told him that he was unusual in that branch for doing so.
Well, I started adding a small smile in my DA Photos after that!

Response by SFC Nikhil Kumra made Jan 28 at 2015 6:27 AM

SFC Nikhil Kumra — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 06:27:33 -0500

If I had stayed in, I probably would've opted for the pouty/smoochie face.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2015 1:54 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 13:54:08 -0500

DA Photo, I'm inclined to say yes. Once upon a time, I would have vehemently disagreed, but there is a time and place for everything. For example attached: Senior Drill Sergeant in the Infantry Training Bde, not so much. Fast forward to Company Command, sure thing. Also, noted in a discussion on promotions with my current BC. It's the little things. (Is it ever not?)

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2015 6:50 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 18:50:59 -0400

Just took my photo today and didn't smile, couldn't smile really.. the guy taking my picture was a complete dunce! The next time I go I'm going to take a senior NCO.. cause this guy was no help at all!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 5:24 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 17:24:58 -0400

I'm glad I saw this post. I smiled in my DA photo because the serious look wasn't working for me. And I've been paranoid since Thursday. And I was asked about why I smiled and I said the serious look didn't work out for me lol. I'm feeling much better after reading many of the comments. I believe it does show you have personality. I mean really why put all that effort into the uniform to let a sour face top it off... I think I'll keep smiling. In my next DA Photo it'll be a nicer smile and when I get selected I'll know it's really not about a mean face. Thanks SFC Jones.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 6:47 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 18:47:52 -0400

I don't cheese it up but I do smile. In my opinion it shows that you are happy to be a Soldier and proud of the uniform that you are wearing not to say that others who don't smile, do not have pride for the uniform or the Army. This is just my personal opinion.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made May 28 at 2015 8:02 AM

LTC Paul Labrador — Thu, 28 May 2015 08:02:02 -0400

My branch manager actually told us in the most recent brief that smiling on photos is looked at more positively by boards. I have since told all of my subordinates to take a photo with them smiling.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2015 9:10 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 09:10:22 -0400

Here's an excerpt from The Definitive Book of Body Language.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2018 11:10 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 11:10:26 -0400

Stand out in your DA photo. People reviewing your packet see an endless sea of fish-faced soldiers and the most effective way to separate yourself is to smile. You don't have to make it cheesy, simply make it genuine. I'm pinning MSG tomorrow so smiling did not hold me back.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2018 11:35 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 23:35:39 -0500

Smile! Soldiers always follow the crowd! Be your own person.. completely disparate than your peers! There is no regulation that says you cannot smile.. while you’re smiling.. it also exhibits confidence, reassurance, and polarizes yourself from all the others whose DA photos make them look like they are unapproachable! Would you shake a car salesman’s hand who didn’t smile at you and approached you with a, “go to war face?” Yea.. me neither! Your DA Photo is your introduction.. you have to look approachable.. and the traditional, “mean mug”, is so not the way to get a sequence number in today’s Army!