MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. -- Cherry Point’s Combat Camera department changed studio hours recently to reduce wait time, increase productivity and keep operations running smoother for its customers.
The Combat Camera studio is currently open from 8 to 11:15 a.m. Monday through Thursday for promotion, body composition, passport and isolated personnel report photos and tattoo screenings.
The studio reopens from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday for command board photos.
Not to be confused with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Combat Camera section, which provides operational support to the wing, Station ComCam has a different mission. It manages administrative photographs, base operations, informational and training videos as well as crime scene, fire, damage to government equipment and aircraft mishap photographs for units on the air station.
Marines needing promotion photos must bring a current height and weight certification verified by their senior leadership. Each certification is valid for 30 days, and no expired certification letters will be accepted.
“We recommend that Marines come in every six months for a new photo, so they always have one on file,” said Kit Hart, director of the training department at Station Combat Camera.
Hart said they want their customers to be aware that Headquarters Marine Corps requires letters signed by the commanding officer, executive officer or sergeant major of their unit verifying that Marines are within height and weight standards.
The photographers with combat camera follow a set of guidelines passed down to them through Headquarters Marine Corps and the air station. They also actively seek ways to make their customers look pristine.
“Every morning we come in and prep the studio by setting up the back drop, lights and the camera,” said Mauricio Campino, the photo chief. “We use a white background and flat lights for morning photos. In the afternoon we change the lighting and the background, adding the flags.”
Combat camera photographers will always do their best to make sure the Marines, Sailors and civilians who stand before their lenses look their best before any photos are taken.