Most memorable trip to the "Barracks Barber?"

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 00:20:52 -0400

I'm sure there's a few of us out there that have memories or stories from their days visiting the "barracks barber." Perhaps you were the one holding the clippers or maybe the unfortunate 'customer,' in either case, I'm sure some interesting and/or funny situations resulted from firing-up-the-clippers! So, break out your best stories, we want to hear them! Feel free to share any photos, videos, links or anything else that helps to tell your story. This should be a blast folks, now pull up a keyboard, and let's get this thing started; thank you for all that you do, and... see you all in the discussion threads!

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2014 12:27 AM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 00:27:50 -0400

My buddies hated me cutting their hair on deployment. When it was super hot outside, the clipper was burning hot, heads sweating, a miserable time for hair cutting.

Response by SPC Matthew Hershey made Apr 21 at 2014 3:56 PM

SPC Matthew Hershey — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 15:56:21 -0400

When I was in AIT, we had a soldier in the barracks who would cut his platoon's hair naked. Yes, naked. His thought process was that he wanted to avoid getting hair on his clothes. Sad part was, he was actually pretty good at it.

I paid the $6 at the shopette.

Response by PO2 Michael Campbell made Apr 21 at 2014 9:12 PM

PO2 Michael Campbell — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 21:12:19 -0400

I was at the barber shop on the Ronald Reagan back in '07. I was sitting there getting my haircut when the Command Master Chief walked in with another Sailor,sat him down in the chair, took the clippers from the brber, and proceeded to give the guy a "CMC Special." Turns out, the CMC had told the Sailor on two other occasions to get a haircut. When he saw the Sailor for the 3rd time, he took matters into his own hands and personally walked him to the barber shop, and cut it for him.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Apr 21 at 2014 9:15 PM

SPC Charles Brown — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 21:15:05 -0400

My barracks barber was my razor. I was damn near bald anyway so I would shave the rest off without having to worry about paying for it.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2014 2:28 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 14:28:10 -0400

Here are just a few other related conversations that you'll want to check-out...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2014 2:54 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 14:54:43 -0400

Paid 5$ for a cut better than the barbers. I miss it. The soldier that did it ETSd.

Response by LCpl Matt P. made Jul 9 at 2014 9:13 PM

LCpl Matt P. — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 21:13:16 -0400

I was stationed in Okinawa, our unit went on a 6 month "float", one other guy and myself were informed that NO ONE would be allowed of that leaky tub until we got haircuts, a SSgt. (cant remember his real name, we just called him "deputy dog" after the cartoon character) did the cutting, I KNEW he was gonna do me in, so I went first to get it over with...sure enough, he botched it and I wound up with a "high and tight" going on liberty in the Philippines... lookin like a boot cherry or a 90 day wonder 2nd Lt.! boy that sucked in a big way!

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Jul 9 at 2014 10:12 PM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 22:12:28 -0400

Hair cut at JRTC and the power goes out. Another in Afghanistan and the rockets/mortar attack happens in the middle of cutting hair.

Response by SSG Derrick Antrom made Jul 10 at 2014 12:22 PM

SSG Derrick Antrom — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 12:22:52 -0400

I remember I was an E-4 in 1/75th rgr we had to have a fresh high & tight hair cut every Monday morning without fail. So as normal Saturday I went to the barber down town but this time I wanted to look cool because I had a date that night. So I asked the barber to put a part in my hair, everything went ok that night. But Monday morning My Plt Sgt saw that part in my hair at PT and told my Squad ldr and team Ldr to report to the CP along with me after PT. we got there and he chewed my ass for 30 min telling me the hiar cut is not to be cool and I better have that part out of my hair by the next time he see me. Now black guys can not just comb your hair in a different style to get rid of a part so I had to find the barracks barber to cut all me little hair off, and being bald was not cool in the 80's for a brother. needless to say I never got a part again.

Response by COL Roxanne Arndt made Jul 10 at 2014 4:19 PM

COL Roxanne Arndt — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 16:19:38 -0400

Ha!! I don't think I can comment on this.........go for it guys!

Response by CW2 Ernest Krutzsch made Jul 10 at 2014 11:08 PM

CW2 Ernest Krutzsch — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 23:08:49 -0400

Ok, so in 1973, you had to report to the "Pay Officer" to get paid. Normally a 2LT sitting behind a desk with a pile of cash, He presented you with a check, you signed and he gave you cash, but....Approach the 2Lt, Sir Pvt so and so reporting for pay!!! Soldier you need a haircut...Yessir as soon as I get paid, I will get one..Oh no, get one, or you don't get paid...OK, next in line gets paid...You borrow $2 to get haircut, with a promise you will pay $5 when you get paid (loan sharks). Soldier gives you money to get haircut, you get back in line, get paid and have to pay your "buddy" $5 for a $2 haircut, sigh!!!

Response by SSG Maurice P. made Nov 2 at 2014 12:00 PM

SSG Maurice P. — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 12:00:34 -0500

BACK IN THE DAY WHEN A HAIRCUT ON BASE WAS .40CENTS I HAD TO GET 3 HAIR CUTS ONE DAY BECAUSE I DIDNT WANT MY HAIR TO BE TO SHORT SO THAT I COULDNT COMB IT STRAIGHT BACK LIKE ELVIS...THE 3RD TIME I GOT A HIGH AND TIGHT AND THATS HOW I WORE IT UNTIL I RETIRED...OVER 30 YEARS LATER...

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Dec 25 at 2014 6:20 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Thu, 25 Dec 2014 18:20:28 -0500

Well, Col Private RallyPoint Member, I'm sure that many on here posted that their most memorable haircut was their first upon entrance into the service, but that was not the case for me. I completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training (Infantry) at Fort Jackson, SC in MAR70, and I had just started to grow some hair. We then took a bus to Fort Benning for jump school, arriving I think on a Friday night, I can't remember exactly. After the Black Hats yelled and screamed at us, we were assigned to barracks. We were told to go to the barbershop the next day and get an "airborne trim". Turned out, of course, that the airborne trim was an even bigger "buzz" than the initial cut at the Reception Station at Fort Jackson! AIRBORNE!

Response by LTC Martin Metz made Dec 26 at 2014 8:53 PM

LTC Martin Metz — Fri, 26 Dec 2014 20:53:47 -0500

It wasn't a barracks barber, but the guy I took over command for HHC, 1-17 Inf (Buffaloes) got a mole on his neck removed for the price of a haircut. The good things about the barber shop down the way from the Battalion area were the air conditioning and the cute female barbers. As the haircut was nearing completion, the barber lathered up his neck and sideburns for a final close touch up with a straight razor. He felt it at the same time as she said "Oops, bump, no more!"

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Dec 26 at 2014 9:16 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 26 Dec 2014 21:16:15 -0500

Iraq 2003. I let one of the guys give me a Mr T.....for about 10 minutes.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2014 11:22 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Dec 2014 23:22:51 -0500

Thank you for reminding me of one of the funniest days of basic training.

The barber had two very memorable "customers" while I was waiting for my turn. The first guy sat in the chair and proceeded to tell the barber what he wanted, "a little off the top, parted to the left", and so on. The barber listened very attentively and then said, "You want it parted here?" BUZZZZZZ! "Oh, you meant here." BUZZZZZ! cutting broad swaths through his hair. Poor guy just gasped, looking like a fish out of water.

The second guy had a packed afro. The barber took the time to pick it out completely, about 4 inches. Then he buzzed one half of the guy's head, leaving a wall, and then turned him around to see himself in the mirror. I'm sure I saw tears in his eyes.

Response by CMC Robert Young made Dec 27 at 2014 4:03 AM

CMC Robert Young — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 04:03:10 -0500

I was a PO3 (E4) at my first unit, and was appearing for my first service dress inspection. There were about 250 of us in formation divided by departments, divisions, and sections. The CO went up one row and down the next with the YN3 following along taking notes about who had what deficiencies.

The old man finally returned to the front of the formation and made the pronouncement that overall he was satisfied with our appearance. We all breathed a sigh of relief, and thought we were done. He then informed the group that if a member had a problem they would be called out at the conclusion of formation and that he would deferred disciplinary action to the XO for anybody with an issue.

After the remaining formalities, the CO departed leaving the XO to dismiss us from formation. The XO had the YN3 read the naughty list with instructions that all those contained therein were to stand fast after the crew was dismissed. Being a pretty sharp guy who is the product of a military family, I was more than shocked to find out that I had been pinged because of my hair cut.

About 12 of us stood fast as the group departed. The XO had us close ranks, and informed us that we were all going to get a hair cut. Since there base barber was not onboard that day, the XO marched us in formation in our Service Dress Blue up the Battery in downtown Charleston to a local barber shop where we all received a haircut.

When it came time to pay the bill, the XO picked up the tab for all of us. We all stood there a little stunned, but a brave soul finally asked "Are we going to receive Page 7s (negative counselling statements in our PDRs)?" The XO responded "Would you like to receive one?" The answer was an emphatic "No sir."

The XO then admonished us that he didn't ever expect to have anybody in the group to ever show up with out a proper haircut again. He formed us up, and marched us back through Charleston to the base. Apparently he later told the CO that he had addressed the deficiencies, but nobody in the group ever got a Page 7.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2014 10:43 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 10:43:39 -0500

when I was XX years old, my 38 year old SPC roommate and I were drinking all weekend, I didn't get my haircut that weekend so before PT on Monday, he cut it while I was still sleep. It was actually pretty decent even though I was itchy all PT

Response by SPC Leisel Luman made Dec 27 at 2014 1:16 PM

SPC Leisel Luman — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 13:16:09 -0500

I was the barracks barber who fixed all the messed up clipper cuts guys had gotten while on leave. I didn't charge for it I did it out of pity before Monday morning inspections.
However, while at the VA I noticed there was a barber shop and I needed a trim. I could see how nervous this poor guy was trying to talk me out of it but not wanting to refuse me as a female. I tried to encourage him and wanted it trimmed straight across the bottom. His dark skin paled to a ash grey color that I recognized from hospice right before someone actually dies. He did it and and survived. Do I look scary to you

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2014 2:32 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 14:32:37 -0500

I was that barber when I was in Airborne school right up to the second day when they said no barracks haircuts. Instead of going to pay for a haircut I decided to bicked my head. Well it was interesting the first time as the hair was not as short as it should have been to bick, but it turned out fine....until...I went to the O-club pool and totally got burned. Then my razor brought and cut the back of my scalp when I was doing it during week 3. I had to switch razors and continue going after throwing water on it (making it look way worse than it was) to avoid having a messed up haircut and a reason to get yelled out.

Response by A1C Chris Luddeni made Dec 27 at 2014 3:32 PM

A1C Chris Luddeni — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 15:32:40 -0500

Two memories come to mind- The first hair cut in Basic. I was in line behind the bypass(s) we had (They went to the into the ANG while we were all permanent) , I dared to look up from my Basic training manual and saw the barber giving what I would have considered a regular short haircut. I relaxed knowing all of my 1979/1980 long hair would not be cut away. My turn came and I sat and watched in horror as all of my hair was just chopped away. Where was my nice short hair cut like the other guy? I was confused, but as each of my new bald buddies went through and got the same treatment as myself, I did over hear our TI tell the two guys with the nice hair cuts, that they had to get moving to some such other place. Later I found out they were bypass(ers). I then wondered why my Recruiter failed to mention that such a "part time" thing existed.
In one of my earlier responses to "A knucklehead thing I did..." This is part of that- After I tried to explain to my Superior that having a nice new 35-10 hair cut would not make me a better or more productive airman, I was immediately dispatched to the base barber and given the "Head of the line" treatment. My Supervisor even paid for the haircut. I did pay him back. But at the time, I was a know it all idiot.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2014 11:16 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Dec 2014 23:16:36 -0500

I was the barracks and the ship barber, every experience was memorable....LtCol

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Dec 29 at 2014 12:23 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 00:23:25 -0500

Here the only pic of me getting a "barracks cut", but it was outdoors in the sand box. Don't remember the barbers name, but he said he felt honored to cut a SGM's hair.

Response by SSG Tim Everett made Dec 29 at 2014 4:37 AM

SSG Tim Everett — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 04:37:16 -0500

For my entire time in uniform with exception of basic training and when I went before the SGT promotion board, I shaved my head with a razor. But I was the barracks barber and with zero training, I did an excellent job.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jan 18 at 2019 2:04 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 02:04:58 -0500

The Hand clippers used by a Kimchee eating Korean barber while on a wooden stool at Camp Casey in 1954/55!

Response by PO1 Frank Reiffenstein made Dec 22 at 2020 8:39 PM

PO1 Frank Reiffenstein — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 20:39:13 -0500

I was the barracks barber. Being an SH it sort of part of the job.

Response by PFC Craig Karshner made Jan 8 at 2021 11:53 PM

PFC Craig Karshner — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 23:53:17 -0500

We never got to cut our hair as a matter of fact 2 guys got Article 15 for cutting their hair. What really was wrong every week we had to pay for our hair cut lol. Same for Rangers..Rangers lead the way

Response by SFC Chuck Martinez made Jan 9 at 2021 6:17 PM

SFC Chuck Martinez — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 18:17:44 -0500

Ft. Dix NJ, just across from the George Washington Bridge where I lived near by, year 1965. When we got to our barracks, we were all lined up and in less then 5 minutes, all our hair was gone.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jan 9 at 2021 9:24 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 21:24:22 -0500

Col Private RallyPoint Member I do recognize the “old wooden barracks” in the photo. The rod to hang clothing on is MT. Left shoulder patches s/b displayed there!!