When did the U.S. Army eliminate the military barber MOS?

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 10:07:39 -0400

Was just thinking about this as I often do about military history topics I can't seem to find much info on easily.

Response by SSG Steven Borders made Oct 9 at 2020 10:13 AM

SSG Steven Borders — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 10:13:25 -0400

I want them to bring back motorcycle riders. LOL but in all seriousness I honestly don't know when the MOS was removed. If I had to guess maybe the 50-60's?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2020 10:39 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 10:39:54 -0400

If I were to guess, I'd say early to mid 1970's

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Oct 9 at 2020 10:51 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 10:51:49 -0400

We still have them obviously. Problem is they aren't called barbers. It's "Retail Services Specialist". That includes those who run the Ship's Store, Laundry, etc. They recently changed it from "Ship's Serviceman", in part to unisex ratings and, to me, a somewhat lame excuse to make it easier to get a job later in the real world. That hasn't changed the usual nickname "Snips" or the Mess Management Specialist "Cookie".

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Oct 9 at 2020 11:36 AM

SP5 Peter Keane — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 11:36:25 -0400

I have been getting haircuts on military bases for 68 years and have never run across a barber that was other than a civilian AAFES employee.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2020 12:43 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 12:43:45 -0400

I didn't there was a barber MOS. It must have been way before my time....

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Oct 9 at 2020 2:55 PM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 14:55:26 -0400

Company barber is not an MOS, it is just a soldier that is a barber in civilian life or is able to do a high and tight. He is issued the company barber kit and keeps everyones hair cut.

Response by SPC John Smith made Oct 9 at 2020 4:05 PM

SPC John Smith — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 16:05:24 -0400

Must have been before 1989. All civilian barbers when I was in.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 9 at 2020 4:34 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 16:34:01 -0400

Can't tell when it went away, but according to June 1944 War Department TM 12-427, Military Occupation Classification of Enlisted Personnel, page 15 shows a 022 Barber as an MOS.

http://www.coulthart.com/134/mos-em.pdf

mos-em.pdf

Response by SSgt Ray Stone made Oct 9 at 2020 4:49 PM

SSgt Ray Stone — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 16:49:04 -0400

Barber mos really existed?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Oct 9 at 2020 8:46 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 20:46:41 -0400

I would say early 70's, tho each 1SG/Supply Sgt had to sign for a company Hair cutting kit.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2020 11:14 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 23:14:50 -0400

Because most of us can cut our own hair, and during a deployment locals will cut hair far more cheaply ( and do an excellent job) than it would cost to maintain a barber in the unit.