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                         October 4, 2002

Army's new digital photo system off and running

WASHINGTON (Army News Service) -- The Department of the Army’s Photo Management System became operational in early September and Army officials said "It’s running like clock work."

The numbers as of Sept. 19 are: 2,902 official DA photos submitted, 42 rejected due to resolution problems.

PERSCOM issued an official message to the field Oct. 1 outlining procedures.

The U.S. Military Academy’s Directorate of Information Management took part in the test phase and has been digitally uploading photographs since July. The DAPMIS goal is to have a full repository of digital photos by Dec. 31, 2003. This applies to staff sergeants and above, chief warrant officers two and above and first lieutenants and above to colonel.

For the present, hard-copy photos will still be forwarded to the servicing personnel services battalion or military personnel office as well. This process will be eliminated once the Army Selection Board System is fully implemented and all career managers have the capability to display the photos.

"The DAPMIS system is the Army solution for automating the DA photo process," officials said. "This system supports all soldiers, active and reserve components and is a great aid to the Army Selection Board System, career management activities and commanders."

Photo labs will give first priority for photographs to soldiers in zones of consideration for any upcoming centralized selection board.

The PERSCOM message notes an important change to photo lab procedures. After Oct. 1, photo lab technicians will concentrate solely on taking photos, rather than also inspecting a soldier’s uniform to ensure proper wear.