--- title: "This is why the military gives male recruits a buzz cut" description: "U.S. military recruits have their locks shorn in the first weeks of training, a buzz cut that is otherwise known as \"The Army's Finest.\"" date: "2021-07-10" modified: "2022-12-07" authors: - name: "Blake Stilwell" job_title: "Editor-In-Chief, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/blake/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/popular/why-male-recruits-buzz-cuts/" categories: - "Basic Training" - "Join the Military" --- # This is why the military gives male recruits a buzz cut ![]() In 1994, a judge ruled the first woman ever admitted to The Citadel, a Charleston, S.C.-based military academy, should not be exempt from getting the same "induction cut" given to all male recruits. For decades, U.S. [military recruits]() have had their locks shorn in the first weeks of training, a buzz cut that is otherwise known as "The Army's Finest." While the Citadel's first female cadet would *not* end up buzzed like her male classmates, male recruits and cadets have been going through the rite of passage [since George Washington established the Continental Army](). Even then, he required men serving in the American ranks wear short hair or braided up. He could also wear his hair powdered, which he would do with flour and animal fat. If he did, it would be tied in a pigtail. ![horseshoe buzz cut]() *There are actually worse cuts out there, you know.* The cleanliness desired by General Washington endured through the early years of the United States. Shaving was enforced up until the Civil War, when [men were allowed to sport neat, trim mustaches and beards](). By then, it was apparent that the hair regs of yesteryear were gone. ![no buzz cut here]() *Now that's just absurd. No buzz cut here. (Library of Congress)* The shearing of young men began in earnest during the heavy recruitment of troops in World War II. The Army's official reason was "field sanitation" – meaning it wanted to control the spread of hair and body lice. it had the double effect of standardizing new U.S. troops, creating a singular look to remind the men that they were in the Army now – and that the Army had standards. Like most everything else in a military training environment, the haircut was a boon to individual and unit discipline. Ever since, the services have tried at various times to recognize the evolution of popular hairstyles for American troops while trying to maintain discipline and grooming standards among them. Women, while not forced to partake in the introductory military hairstyle, have maintained clean, often short hairstyles. Their hairstyles are always expected to be just as well-kept and disciplined as their male counterparts. They still get a visit to the basic training Supercuts – the result is just not as drastic. ![air force buzz cut]() *He's ready. (U.S. Air Force)* It doesn't matter if they're coming into the military as an officer or as enlisted, if they're Guard or Reserve, if they're going to a service academy or ROTC, all soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines get a solid shearing to christen their new way of life. ## Author Blake Stilwell is We Are The Mighty's Editor-in-Chief, covering military news, entertainment, and history, along with veteran education, employment and entrepreneurship. He is a former U.S. Air Force combat cameraman with degrees in Graphic Design, Television and Film, International Relations, Public Relations, Business Management and Middle Eastern Affairs. After leaving the military, he began working in film and television production in New York and Los Angeles, work that included ABC News, NBC Olympics, and HBO Sports. He then spent two years in Washington with White House Communications, before joining the Near East Foundation. At NEF he served as an International Development Fellow, then Communications Officer, and finally, Media Officer for the Middle East and Africa. Based in the Palestinian Territory, he coordinated strategic communications between eight country offices, international media, and government and NGO partners. He began a career focused on writing and editing in 2015 with We Are The Mighty. He left in 2019 for Military.com, but returned as Editor-in-Chief in 2025. Blake’s work has been seen on CBS News, Fox News, CBC, The Chicago Tribune, Task & Purpose, Military Times, Recoil, Skillset, American History, and was shockingly even used in a Supreme Court argument. He is an avid traveler and small business owner in Ohio, where he spends most of his energy fixing up a very old house. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Twitter]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()