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:  [email protected]// POC/NICHOLAS S. MITCHELL/MAJ/MMPB-2/-/TEL: 703-784-5689/EMAIL:  [email protected]// 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training, education,  and command. 2.a.  On 15 Jul 2025, the Secretary of War (formally Secretary of  Defense) rescinded SecDef memorandum dated 14 Jul 2020.  Subsequently, on 20 Aug 2025, the Under Secretary of War (formally Under Secretary of Defense), Personnel and Readiness rescinded the USD, P&R memorandum dated 31 Aug 2020.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.//