Military Crew Cut Hairstyle: Timeless, Rugged & Built for Confidence

Introduction

The military crew cut is the most famous men’s haircut all over the world. This cut has long been traditionally chosen by military men, and many men now still consider this style as one of the best.

What is a Procedures Military Crew Cut?

A military crew cut is a shorter type of hair that used to be prescribed for men within the military. The defining features of this cut include:

• Hair cut using scissors and usually done below a #2 guard on the back and sides of the head. 
• Slightly longer up, making it no more than 1/4 to 1/2 inch off the head.
• Defines, sharp edges without any transition or smudging between lengths.

This creates the characteristic shape of a crew cut: long hair on top of the head and short hair on the sides and in the back. It ‘grows’ a neat and more rigorously masculine setup drawn from the existence of neater, and less complicated looks required by military organizations and other service sectors such as the policemen and firefighters.

The Origins and History

It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when and where the crew cut originated, but there are a few key bits of its history:

Cutting hair very short has had significance in “initiation” ceremonies from warrior tribal communities as well as from initiation of adolescence from very early civilizations. In ancient Spartan warriors of Ancient Greece, youths had their hair cropped short.

A little later, very short haircuts were shaved for recruits in the Roman Empire and further. It was a form of portrayal of independence in an organization to eliminate individuality, conformity, and subordination. 

Military men adopted what came to be known as crew cuts and buzz cuts for barbers during the 19th and early 20th centuries for the mandatory Western uniform hair. They required styles that could easily be worn under helmets and caps without obstructing vision and hearing.

Thus, even though when it is impossible to indicate the start of ultra-short men’s hair, it cemented itself as the perfect military cut. 

Why Not the Military Crew Cut?

There are good practical reasons the military crew cut has thrived:

Low Maintenance

Crew cut has very short sides and back together with a very short top hence requiring little grooming or styling than longer hairstyles. The reason is that it protects hair off the neck and eye region with little or even no product needed.

Cool and Comfortable  

As observed, thick hair may stressful and uncomfortable especially when one is in a hot area or even when the weather is hot or after some exercises. Another advantage is that military crew cut enables the scalp to remain cooler and also dispose of sweaty hair complications.  

Uniform Appearance 

Male military buzz-cut hair will always look very clean-shaven and very well groomed. This makes it perfect for police, fire brigades, military, and any other uniformed service today who must portray a professional clean-cut image.

Masculine Style Statement

Combined with the above-mentioned conveniences for military men the crew cut can also be regarded as a masculine hairstyle. There is undeniably a lot of retro feel to the item and the structured shape only adds to that. It just has a sophisticated, confident air without coming across overly poised or overly ambitious.

Customizing the Cut 

While discipline and uniformity might be the top priorities in certain groups requiring military crew cuts, some customization is possible:

• The top length may be reduced by having a shorter hair length or could be left slightly longer than at a 1/4 – 1/2 inch level depending on the particulars of head contour and the particular objective of the admired haircut styles.
• Subtly fading or tapering the back and sides takes the completely defined line down about a notch or two for that barbershop look. 
• Incorporation of new razor line designs on the fade results in new dimensions on the traditional cut.

Thus, although individual flair is somewhat minimized, certain modern changes give the regular military short hairstyles a modern touch.

Caring for Your Crew Cut

Crew cut is easily maintained and care mainly involves trimming the edges to make them neat. Here are a few tips:

• Since it is not even an inch long, all you need to do is wash it every day and dry it with a towel before combing it into place. For styling a small quantity of short hair-specific gel or cream may be used if necessary.
• The back and sides should be neat for the next wash so that the117 regrowth from the next taper shaving does not look bushy; this can be done after 2 weeks or so.
• Facial hair Clippers should be used to trim it down at a low setting and also clean the neck and edges.

Check Out: Air Force Haircut: Expectations and Choices.

Who Can Wear a Military Crew Cut?

Although initially discipline and uniform hairstyles may be the primary causes – crew cuts share versatile style. They can complement all face shapes and ages provided that adjustments are made on certain details.

Face Shapes

• The strong and straight lines of the classic crew cut work very well for square-face shapes.
• Some height at the top considerably helps those with longer oval faces.
• Faded side detailing on skinny teeth sharpens the cheek’s fullness for round faces on wide features.
• Less hair on the top and sides reduces narrow band of chin lines; extra short.   

Ages

• Regarding the military crew cut, this style gives a serious, mature look to youngsters especially teenagers and men in their early twenties.
• The vintage manly style also helps sundry Gentlemen 40 years and above by concealing thinning hair or even receding hairline.
• Between those ages, it keeps giving out an authoritative, trustworthy signal.

Thus, having initially been popularised through military specifications – the current slick crew cut can be perceived as a mainstream popular type of haircut for men.

Crew Cuts vs Buzz Cuts  

These two short hairstyles have some overlap and similarities but also key differences:

•  Crew cuts enable some length on top (about 1/4 – 1/2 inch) with the rest of the hair that can be styled. Buzz cuts are completely even all over in a short length that is closest possible to the scalp.
•  Typically, buzz cuts use clipper guard sizes as follows: #1 – #3. Crew cuts consist of #2 or longer guard on the top and shorter grade on the sides or back.
•  Both of them are considered to have clean lines – but the crew cuts do not overlap, or mix lengths. The condition when the top length is greater than the side length is made conspicuous.
•  Crew cuts are more suitable for a neater and twice higher hairstyle on top than the low crew cut buzz.

Therefore, buzz cuts can be considered as an even shorter all-over choppy finish than crew cuts with their signature flat top shape pattern.

Conclusion

This hairstyle comes complete with history, and essential style credibility – and the military crew cut has it to a tee. Practical needs caused crop utilitarian style in women’s trousers, but masculine self-assertiveness, which is convincing now, initiates attraction. Just as with other street and military wear becoming a trend in male fashion in subsequent years, so has this definitive short hairstyle. Military-inspired crew cuts as with other fashion trends can only be combatted with the right custom details and adequate maintenance.

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