But Not Three Hair Cuts in Two Days

This occurred at the end of the trip which began in the previous posting. I'll begin with some background information.

The year was 1970. Back in the world, hairstyles were getting longer. The Captain of USNAVMAGGUAM made us wear our hair as closely cropped on the sides as U.S. Marines. Other Naval bases and the U.S. Air Force base on Guam held with traditional military hair cuts. And then, there were the SeaBees. They were allowed to have hair that could blend in with the civilian population.

I certainly did not want to come back to the world for emergency leave with the boot camp style hair which was required at my duty station. Therefore, a few days before my scheduled departure, I began preparing by shunning a hair cut and allowing mutton chops to begin growing on my face. I managed to avoid any Officers or superior NCOs who would make me shave and cut before leaving. I saw my grandma and she was so weak and emaciated that I questioned my decision. Perhaps it would have been better to remember her only as the strong, vibrant woman I had known for more than 20 years. Be that as it may, I had to go back to the NAVMAG.

By then, the white sidewalls above my ears had filled in, and I had about 10-12 days growth on my mutton chops. To fly military standby, I had to be in uniform. I knew that anywhere along the way I might catch some flak about the chops. I caught a flight from Tinker AFB in Oklahoma to El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in California and another from there to Norton AFB, CA. Then I was able to get on a plane to Okinawa. It sat down near Tokyo for about an hour, probably to refuel. I was able to go out into the yard while there so that I could say my feet touched Japanese soil. But it was shortly after arrival in Okinawa that I hit the wall. When I went to check availability for the next leg of my journey, the E-5 Air Force sergeant who was manning the desk said he could get me on a flight to Guam, but only if I had a shave and hair cut when I checked in. I found a barber shop, got the shave and a standard military haircut. I knew it was not short enough for NAVMAG protocol, but a cut at a military barber shop was so cheap [I think it was $0.75] that it was worth it to have a few more hours without looking like a lifer. I got back to my base and went to the barber shop there for a NAVMAG peel.

When I went to work the next morning, the Chief Petty Officer who conducted muster decided to hold a military inspection. Can you guess what he said to me? Yes indeed, he told me to get a hair cut. Well, that was just too much. Internally, I blew a gasket. Externally, I remained calm and said that I had gotten one at our shop only the day before and would not get another so soon. He said that if I didn't, he would put me on report. I told him, if he must, he should; and he did. The next step was for the lieutenant who was in charge of the Mine Division to "try to talk some sense into me." I continued steadfast in my decision. He then referred the matter to the Captain's office. I was scheduled for a Captain's Mast, which is a non-judicial disciplinary hearing. [The Army and the Air Force call it an Article 15 hearing.] Given that it was the Captain's pet campaign against which I was making my stand, it was probably extremely fortuitous that he was away at the time. The mast was conducted by the Executive Officer [XO]. He gave me a six month suspended bust. That means, if I got in trouble within the following six months, I would have been lowered one rank. Had that happened, my pay would have been reduced and I would no longer have been a non-commissioned officer. But it did not because I was not a troublemaker. For attestation, I offer below a quotation from my semi-annual Enlisted Performance Evaluation which was submitted about three months after the occurrence. Further proof is that, as a Third Class Petty Officer, I was chosen to be supervisor of Supply Branch of Mine Division, a position usually filled by a First Class Petty Officer.
From Enlisted Performance Evaluation dated 16 Oct 70:
"MN3 BENDER is a high achiever and approaches his duties with enthusiasm. He constantly strives for knowledge in his rate and to complete tasks quickly and efficiently. He has proven himself effective and efficient in all branches of Mine Division. His ideas are usually sound and he approaches problems in a logical manner in order to complete them in a minimum of time. During this evaluation period BENDER received one C.O.'s Mast for disobeying a direct order; however, after counseling on the circumstances leading to the Mast he has reconciled the matter as a learning experience containing value. BENDER is a conscientious and forceful leader who leads through mutual respect with his subordinates. MN3 BENDER's military appearance is above average and he has a friendly disposition."

I held no bad feelings toward my lieutenant or the XO. They did what they had to do. Besides, I could have stopped the process at anytime along the way by buckling. But sometimes ya just gotta take a stand. I did, however, resent the Captain for creating the atmosphere which spawned the incident. For the record, I don't recall ever stating to anyone that I viewed it as a learning experience containing value. I suppose it is possible that someone proffered the notion and I simply did not disagree.