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August 26, 2009
GTMO's 'Floyd the Barber'
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Air Force Tech Sgt. Ronald Comer, an information management specialist deployed here with the 474th Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron in support of Joint Task Force Guantanamo, cuts Air Force Lt. Col. John Dulin's hair at Camp Justice, July 13. Comer has been cutting the hair of fellow Airmen since day one of his deployment to JTF Guantanamo. JTF Guantanamo conducts safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody of detainees, including those convicted by military commission and those ordered released by a court. The JTF conducts intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination for the protection of detainees and personnel working in JTF Guantanamo facilities and in support of the War on Terror. JTF Guantanamo provides support to the Office of Military Commissions, to law enforcement and to war crimes investigations. The JTF conducts planning for and, on order, responds to Caribbean mass migration operations.
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by Sgt. Michael Baltz
GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba
Many people have nicknames, and Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ronald Comer is no different. He has earned the nickname of "Floyd the Barber," a character from the Andy Griffith Show.
Comer, an information management specialist with the 474th Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron, has been cutting the hair of fellow Airmen since day one of his deployment to Joint Task Force Guantanamo.
"I never cut hair before," Comer said. "The first night here, some guys wanted a haircut and I just started practicing. I now have over 40 customers."
Along with a table of magazines to read while people wait for a haircut, Comer has his own barber's chair, trimmers, razors and clippers.
"I don't charge anything, I am just helping out the guys," Comer said. "It builds morale. It keeps them within regulation and looking good. It also saves them the hassle of sitting in line and getting a haircut. I do get tips every now and then, but it isn't necessary."
Comer has evolved from day one; cutting more than 400 heads of hair since he has been here.
"I can do a fade," Comer said. "I am pretty picky about things, so I try to do a good job. I cut their hair to fit their head. I want them to be proud of it."
Comer is dedicated to keeping his clients looking sharp.
"I can't cut people's hair when they are busy, so I am pretty flexible," Comer said. "I usually cut hair when people have free time or in the evening or on the weekends. I did one last week at 7 a.m."
Comer doesn't claim to be perfect and admits to making mistakes along the way.
"I have put the wrong guard on before, but it all worked out," Comer said casually. "I just cut it shorter."
One person he is sure to take care of is the 474th ECES commander, Air Force Lt. Col. John Dulin.
"It is a great thing he is doing, it allows everyone to look good," Dulin said. "He gives a good haircut. We give him the time and ability to do it."
Dulin said there would not be any repercussions if Comer made a mistake.
"He hasn't messed up my hair," Dulin said. "Yet."
Unfortunately, the females haven't been able to enjoy Comer's haircuts.
"They won't let me cut their hair," Comer said gloomily.
"I am going to start cutting my wife's hair though; it will save me some money," Comer added jokingly.
As far as continuing his new role in the unit, it will not end anytime soon.
"My unit members] want me to keep on cutting their hair when I get home," Comer said. "I have already made a deal with a few of them to keep on doing it on drill weekends."
Posted by Wild Thing at August 26, 2009 03:50 AM
Comments
Had to chuckle at the comment that the women don't let him cut their hair.
God bless em all!
Posted by: Eden at August 26, 2009 06:28 AM
I think almost every unit I was in had someone who could cut hair. All of them were good at it, if maybe a bit slow.
Posted by: TomR at August 26, 2009 10:54 AM
Loved it Chrissie. As Tom relates, we cut our own hair and some were very good at it, if not it was a bald shave or a Mohawk. Before that, it always made me uneasy when the local barber brought out the straight edge for a finish, but I survived the experience, one of our local barbers perished in the concertina, he was a sapper.
Posted by: Jack at August 26, 2009 11:34 AM
I never trusted anyone I didn't know with a straight razor, shave it or or a trim shave is just fine.
Posted by: Mark at August 26, 2009 11:37 AM
Eden, yes me too.
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 27, 2009 12:36 AM
Tom, thanks for sharing about that.
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 27, 2009 12:37 AM
Jack,thank you for sharing your experiences.
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 27, 2009 12:40 AM
Mark, Nicholas was the same way. My
Dad was different about it, he used
to like going to a barber for a shave
once and awhile. I think it was
more because it was a time he liked
to visit with the baber an old
school friend then anything else.
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 27, 2009 12:45 AM
