R 032017Z DEC 25
MARADMIN 582/25
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/REQUIREMENT UPDATE ON OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHS FOR NON-PROMOTION
SELECTION BOARDS//
REF/A/MSGID: MSG/CMC/141806ZJUL21//
REF/B/MSGID: MSG/CMC/252010ZAUG20//
REF/C/MSGID: MSG/CMC/281924ZJAN19//
REF/D/DESC: MCO/CMC/20190514//
NARR/REF A IS MARADMIN 369/21, CLARIFICATION ON THE REQUIREMENT FOR
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHS. REF B IS MARADMIN 491/20, REMOVAL OF
PHOTOGRAPHS FROM CONSIDERATION BY PROMOTION BOARDS AND SELECTION
PROCESS. REF C IS MARADMIN 052/19, OFFICIAL MILITARY PERSONNEL FILE
(OMPF) PHOTOGRAPH GUIDANCE. REF D IS MARINE CORPS ORDER 1070.1,
OFFICIAL MILITARY PERSONNEL FILE//
POC/LIZETTE G. WELCH/COL/MMPB-1/-/TEL: 703-784-9725/EMAIL:
LIZETTE.WELCH@USMC.MIL//
POC/NICHOLAS S. MITCHELL/MAJ/MMPB-2/-/TEL: 703-784-5689/EMAIL:
NICHOLAS.S.MITCHELL@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. This Message cancels references (a) through (c)
and provides additional clarification to the photograph policies
outlined by reference (d). The guidance provided within reference
(d) reflects current Marine Corps requirements.
2. Background. The 2021 National Defense Authorization Act
directed the Secretary of Defense to prohibit the inclusion of
official photographs in the material furnished to a promotion
selection board, both officer and enlisted, in the active and
reserve components of the armed forces. Accordingly, the Secretary
of Defense issued a memorandum, dated 14 Jul 2020, to the service
secretaries directing the removal of photographs from consideration
by promotion boards and selection processes and developed additional
guidance, as applicable, that emphasized retaining qualified and
diverse talent. The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and
Readiness (USD, P&R) issued a memorandum, dated 31 Aug 2020, that
prohibited the use of photographs for promotion selection boards and
selection processes pertaining to assignment, training, education,
and command.
2.a. On 15 Jul 2025, the Secretary of War (formally Secretary of
Defense) rescinded SecDef memorandum dated 14 Jul 2020.
Subsequently, on 20 Aug 2025, the Under Secretary of War
(formally Under Secretary of Defense), Personnel and Readiness
rescinded the USD, P&R memorandum dated 31 Aug 2020. As a result,
the use of photographs for selection processes pertaining to
assignment, training, education, and command was restored to the
service secretaries. However, the use of photographs remains
statutorily prohibited in promotion selection boards.
3. Purpose. In keeping with the Marine Corps’ professional
appearance ethos, the visible expression of discipline, physical
fitness, and strict adherence to height and weight standards,
official photographs in HQMC sponsored boards will be utilized as
part of the selection process pertaining to assignment, training,
education, and command (non-promotion selection boards).
4. Effective 1 April 2026 for Active and Reserve Components, HQMC
sponsored non-promotion boards will have access to official
military personnel file (OMPF) photographs during the conduct of
non-promotion selection boards.
5. The list of HQMC boards that will utilize photographs as a
discriminator will be maintained on the Manpower and Reserve Affairs
(MMPB-4) website at https://www.manpower.marines.mil click on
“Divisions” / “Manpower Management” / “Performance Branch” / “Board
Operations” / “Board Photo List”.
6. In accordance with reference (d), a photograph is considered
current if the photograph is taken 365 days prior to a selection
board’s convene date. It remains the Marine’s responsibility to
ensure a current photograph is in their OMPF no later than ten
business days prior to the board’s convene date for which they are
eligible.
7. All board eligible Marines are encouraged to have photographs
taken by Communication Strategy (COMMSTRAT) sections or DOD
photographic units in accordance with reference (d). Chapter 5 of
reference (d) remains applicable and details OMPF photograph
specifications and submission requirements.
8. The use of official photographs remains statutorily prohibited
in promotion selection boards. Accordingly, HQMC (CMC) will
continue to ensure OMPF photographs are not accessible in officer or
enlisted promotion selection boardrooms or viewable by board
members.
9. This MARADMIN is applicable to the Total Force.
10. Release authorized by LtGen William J. Bowers, Deputy Commandant
for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//