The idea was modeled on the ‘blind audition’ procedure used to evaluate the talent of musicians seeking spots in an orchestra—leaving merit as the sole factor in the selection process.
Besides without the photos a bunch of fat burgers were slipping through. One of the promotion boards I sat on required PT test results, pictures, physicals, proficiency test scores, etc. In every case, when we had to request the missing items, you can guess what the results were when they were furnished. This was for a very senior NCO promotion board.
Surprise