As a leader, what would you do if your soldiers are deployed to a location where they have no ability to get a haircut?

2020-08-15T05:23:47-04:00

As a leader, what would you do?.....you are deployed to an undisclosed location, with nothing there but eat, sleep and work. After you get there, you find out haircuts are cash only. No atm, no access to cash, no app payments accepted, etc. Up until now, not much thought has ever occurred about something so simple as a haircut. Soldiers are due for a trim, but say they have no cash and cannot get access to any. In the past, senior leaders would yell and threaten Soldiers to do "whatever they have to do" to get a haircut. Yes, there is a random Soldier that can cut hair, but not certified/qualified license. So, from a legal standpoint...what would/could you do?

Response by SGT Chris Stephens made Aug 15 at 2020 8:23 AM

2020-08-15T08:23:49-04:00

What are the senior leaders doing for their haircuts? How did they know to bring cash if that's what they do?

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Aug 15 at 2020 9:01 AM

2020-08-15T09:01:34-04:00

Call some one stateside and have them send some clippers? I cut my own hair for three months when the barbershops were shutdown, it should be easier to have a buddy do it. Then tell them to get their hair cut.
To be honest, if I had a LT that couldn't have solved this problem on his own, he and I would have had a long discussion somewhere away from the troops about his abilities.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2020 10:50 AM

2020-08-15T10:50:57-04:00

The reg doesn't say anything about it having to look good.

I guess the greatest annoyance is being in this situation up until you come home, and all looking foolish when you step off the plane to your loved ones.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2020 12:15 PM

2020-08-15T12:15:39-04:00

MSG,
Get some clippers and take it back to BCT. If you’re deployed, it doesn’t matter how you look anyway. Let everyone be ugly together and shave those heads lol

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Aug 15 at 2020 1:03 PM

2020-08-15T13:03:56-04:00

Couple choices:

1. Lead the unit and make it a green tab issue to have Finance fly in to do cash dispersing. A Battalion level commander may have To push this to get it done. Finance flies in, does casual pays, and leaves. Soldiers then have cash and can get a haircut.

2. Do a local purchase or have rear d use the government card to buy two sets of clippers. The guy who can kind of cut hair is detailed two days a week until the unit is in good shape and another volunteer shaves heads every night after chow. If you have a medic, have them identify a sterilization/cleaning procedure to ensure you've done your best to keep everyone safe. Lets face it, every two weeks soldiers will be available for them to try again for the clippers marksmen ship badge. They'll be pretty good at it in no time.

3. Have the Command make a green tab request through G4 channels to fly in AAFES barbers to run a hair cuts for two days a month and leaders make arrangements to rotate solders. There may also be a way for the S1 to arrange for the appropriate payroll deduction to pay AAFES. contrary to popular perception, AAFES does work for us and I served Le ad by a 2-Star.

Hygiene, including haircuts and shaving are a morale builder. No better feeling than a field shower, shave, and a fresh high and tight. It used to be in the soldier handbook (SH 21-76?).

Dumb question, if the senior leader who is making this a big deal is living in the same conditions, how are they getting theirs taken care of?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 15 at 2020 7:23 PM

2020-08-15T19:23:57-04:00

In our day, each unit had a clipper set in the supply room, that could be H/R out, just for that.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2020 3:10 AM

2020-08-16T03:10:50-04:00

100% take the initiative and relax the grooming standards.

It’s an exact replay of the COVID shutdown we had here. Months without haircuts because barbers are required to be closed. Leaders pulled back the requirement for haircuts and encouraged soldiers to style their hair to maintain a professional appearance.
You as the Senior have to be the voice of reason pushing back. A command can’t give someone a UCMJ for failing to meet a standard that they haven’t provided a means to meet.