Chaplain Ellis is a cut above the rest

Courtesy Photo | Capt. Jeffrey Ellis, chaplain for 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, trims a soldiers hair at the Frontenac Chapel. Ellis and his assistant, Spc. Corey Penton, provide haircuts to their soldiers. “It puts (Penton) and me in the position to talk to a lot more soldiers and see how they are doing,” Ellis said. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Michael Newman)  

SHAH WALI KOT, AFGHANISTAN

07.07.2011

Courtesy Story

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

SHAH WALI KOT, Afghanistan -- When Capt. Jeffery Ellis, squadron chaplain with 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, found out he was heading on deployment to Afghanistan, it was nothing unusual. This was until his squadron commander, Lt. Col. David Raugh, wanted to do something out of the ordinary - haircuts for soldiers.

Prior to leaving Fort Wainwright, Alaska, Ellis and Spc. Corey Penton, a chaplain’s assistant with Headquarters and Headquarter Troop, 5th Sqdn., 1st Cav. Reg., both received lessons in cutting hair from a local salon owner, who graciously donated clippers and supplies to get them started.

Ellis and Penton have provided more than 234 haircuts during this tour. Penton is often seen out on Forward Operating Base Frontenac encouraging soldiers and civilians to take advantage of the free offer.

“It puts (Penton) and me in the position to talk to a lot more soldiers and see how they are doing,” Ellis said. “It is fun and creates a bond with some of the soldiers.”

“Getting out and being with the troops is done through battlefield circulation, and more and more I am seeing the joy of just laughing with soldiers while giving them a trim,” Ellis said.

“The soldiers enjoy a great cut in the [air conditioning] with cold water and freeze pops available to them,” Penton said.

Soldiers around area of operations Blackhawk are speculating how many haircuts will be given by the end of tour.

“I say 3,000 by April,” said Spc. Justin Scott, a signal support systems specialist with HHT.

Both Ellis and Penton have their specialties when it comes to cutting hair.

“I believe that (Penton) has found a second job in it. He is pretty good and we both have our own niche – he doesn’t like doing scissor cuts and I like doing the scissor cuts,” Ellis said.

“I have found that I am fairly talented at cutting hair, and will likely continue to do so after redeployment,” Penton said.

“I am grateful for the opportunity. I enjoy being able to make a tangible difference in soldiers' lives, Penton said. “It gives me the opportunity to get a general feel for the level of morale and in so doing I can help Chaplain Ellis in his ministry to the troops.”

This mission is already a success as soldiers and civilians get free haircuts and talk freely to the chaplain if they choose.

“I think it makes me a little more accessible and we just have fun and visit with everyone,” Ellis said.

• Date Taken: 07.07.2011
• Date Posted: 07.07.2011 10:54
• Story ID: 73356
• Location: SHAH WALI KOT, AF