The Marine Corps updated the required format for the title board (the text box) on official OMPF photos. The change follows the shift from height/weight to a waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) methodology announced earlier this year. Instead of displaying weight, the title board now shows one of four body composition (BC) status labels.
★ Affects all reservists: Your next official OMPF photo must use the new title board format showing BC status, not weight. Photos already on file with weight displayed are still valid if taken within 365 days of a board's convene date.
Who it affects
All Marines, Total Force. If you have a selection board coming up or need to take a new official photo, this applies to you now.
What you need to do
If you have a current OMPF photo with weight displayed and it was taken within the last 365 days, you do not need to retake it. It remains valid for upcoming boards.
If you need a new photo, the title board must use one of the four new status labels below. Work with your unit S-1 or the photographer to ensure the format is correct before the photo is submitted.
The four BC status labels (use exactly one):
WITHIN BC STANDARDS— meets WHtR or body fat standards, including Marines with elevated body fat allowances for PFT/CFT performance who meet that thresholdNOT WITHIN BC STANDARDS— exceeds maximum WHtR and body fat evaluation standardsEXEMPT— pregnant, post-partum, or under a temporary medical exemptionWAIVED— waiver approved by a General Officer in the chain of command, or the CG of Training and Education Command or their delegate
Standard title board format:
LAST NAME, FIRST NAME, MIDDLE INITIAL(S), NAME SUFFIX
RANK, PRIMARY MOS
DoD ID
WITHIN BC STANDARDS / NOT WITHIN BC STANDARDS / EXEMPT / WAIVED
ABBREVIATED BILLET ASSIGNMENT AND UNIT
DATE PHOTOGRAPH WAS TAKEN (YYYYMMDD)
CERTIFICATION BY SENIOR LEADERSHIP
Key dates
- Effective immediately (24 March 2026): all new OMPF photos must use the updated title board format
- 365-day rule: existing photos showing weight remain valid if taken within 365 days of a board's convene date
The official version
See MARADMIN 127/26 for the full text. This is a change to MARADMIN 582/25 and MCO 1070.1 (Official Military Personnel File). The WHtR methodology itself was announced in MARADMIN 066/26. Questions go to LtCol Nicholas Mitchell at nicholas.s.mitchell@usmc.mil (703-784-5689) or CWO3 Raymond Baldwin at raymond.baldwin@usmc.mil (703-784-2613).
This is written by a reservist, for reservists. It is not an official publication of HQMC or MARFORRES. Always verify guidance with your command or unit S-1 before acting on any article or summary.