Navy Officer Photographs

So this type of portraiture isn't winning any awards any time soon, but believe it or not, every Naval Officer is required to have one in their official record.

Unfortunately, its challenging to find a DoD facility that will offer it, unless you happen to be attached to a command that has their own studio. Over the years, budget cuts have reduced or eliminated DoD photography studios.

In 2020 the Navy announced it would no longer show officer service record photos during promotion, selection and assignment boards as a way to eliminate the possibility of bias in the service’s board process.

This was announced in NAVADMIN 247/20, and the change took effect Sept. 1, 2020.

Great news, right?! Not so fast....

The message also states that the "requirement to maintain a current photograph in the official service record will continue to exist..."

"All officers, regardless of status, in both the Regular Navy and the Navy Reserve, are required to update their official photo within three months of accepting a new promotion."

If you are an instruction geek, like me, you'll be happy to know that the following language is conveniently located in MILPERSMAN 1070-180, paragraph 6:

"Commands are authorized to reimburse officers that use commercial sources to produce photographs."

This warms my heart....which is why you will find this service at my studio.

I'm in Northern Virginia, but if you aren't in my area, I'll even go so far as to offer mentorship to whatever commercial photographer you want to use.

Cheers and Go Navy!