80 Most Attractive Military Haircuts for Men [2021]

There was a time when military haircuts were considered to be reserved for military personnel. But from a couple of years, these military haircuts or war-themed haircuts have become trendiest as they are used to shape signature style and make the wearer look even and appealing.

Different Military Haircut Types

Here is a list of the different types of military haircuts one can sport. While most of these haircuts revolve around the same few concepts of short hair, fades and shaved sides, the main difference lies in the minor changes of hair length and how they are mixed and matched with shaved sides or fades.

Buzz Cut

Burr Cut

Long Buzz Cut Fade

Crew Cut

Regulation Cut

High and Tight Fade

Shaved Sides & Short Hair on Top

High Fade

Police Officer Haircut

Ivy League Haircut

Short Comb Over and Low Fade

Messy Brush Cut

Induction Haircut

How To Give A Military Haircut

In the 20^th century, there were a few predominant military cuts really stole the show. Moreover, they all shared the same set of features – they were low maintenance hairstyles. Also, they looked quite dashing too. Now, the key to getting a military haircut is ensuring that your hair grows nothing beyond 2 inches. Ideally, to get a sleek, neat military cut, the hair should be just about an inch long.

The induction cut, like the name, suggests originated from the haircut soldiers and other military officials where they are inducted into the boot camp. This haircut is a clipped haircut where no guard to the hair clipper. The haircut almost looks like it has been shaved and more like a stubble.

The burr cut is slightly longer in length when compared to the induction cut. It is done using a clipper with a 1 or 2 number guard. The hair is left being extremely short.

The butch cut is longer than the burr cut. It is done using a guard number of 3 or 4 on the clipper.

The regulation cut is relatively longer. With almost 2 inches of hair length on the top, the hair on the sides and the back are trimmed shorter using a pair of scissors and given the finishing touches with a hair clipper. The fade is usually done to skin level, which essentially means that the end lines of the hair blend seamlessly into the skin.

A military fade haircut, like the name, suggests, means that the hair length has a gradual decrease until the point that the hair blends in with the skin. The fade most typically occurs towards the sides and at the back of the head.

There are three types of fades – regular, high and low. The regular fade is where the side and back of the head hair fade finish at the natural hairline.

The high fade is where the hair fade ends just above a few inches above the natural hairline, and the low fade is where the hair fade ends above the regular fade but below the regular fade, somewhere in between the two.

The high and tight haircut is where the hair is short all around, but just slightly longer than an inch and a half on the top. Almost like Justin Bieber’s current hairstyle.

Where Did The Military Haircut Originate From?

The uber-cool military hairstyle was incepted initially in the 1940s and 1950s in the American military. The military has always been known for the one organization that required the utmost amounts of grooming standards.

Hair was obviously one of the most important aspects of male grooming. It all began with the fade haircut. Now, this hairdo was adopted by famous personalities that Big Daddy Kane and Eric B. who popularised the military cut.

However, a lot of people believe that the military haircut was adopted from the Egyptians. This is because they thought that Queen Nefertiti’s crown resembles an interesting hairstyle.

Nevertheless, most accredit this look to the Americans. Renowned hairdresser Gregg Cooper Spencer strongly believes that the military haircut was propagated by strong leaders like Martin Luther King Jr, Mohammad Ali and Malcolm X. These leaders initially sported afros but then switched to military cuts.

How Short Is The Military Haircut?

In order to get a military haircut, the hair should be just about 2 inches long. However, the final military haircut would be about 1 inch long only. A bit longer hair gives the stylist a chance to provide you with the most stylish yet sleek military look using the variations you prefer.

Depending on the type of military hairstyle you desire, the guard of the clipper should be set. It is set on a number between o and 5. Zero (0) for the induction cut, gradually moving towards 5 for the regulation cut.

Military Haircut Vs. Undercut

Two haircuts, military, and undercut can often be confused with each other. Both of them are extremely closely related making them almost substitutes for each other. However, the difference lies in minute details. For example, for a military cut, it is best to use a clipper between the range of 1 and 3. However, for an undercut, a clipper of number 3 is ideal.

For a military style, the hair on the top of the head must be between 1 and 2 inches in length. However, for an undercut, longer hair of about 4 to 6 inches can also be styled.

In a military cut, the sides and back do not necessarily need to be buzzed, but an undercut is incomplete without the sides and back being gradually buzzed.

Short, Simple and Striking Military Haircuts For Men

We have compiled here forty short military haircuts that have been used by military men from all over the world. All the military haircuts are short haircuts that don’t exceed the two inches hair length.

Furthermore, these military haircuts share the same traits as they offer low-maintenance hairstyle that doesn’t block one’s vision on the field as well as not allows hair to get trapped in the in helmet or shirt’s collar.

#1: Buzz Cut

The buzz cut is the most popular type of military haircut. It’s low maintenance, super short, and one length all over, no styling needed!

#2: Ivy League Military Haircut

An Ivy League haircut is noted by the smoothed hair combed to one side. You can add in a side part and go for a gradual fade with a line design to edge it up.

#3: Caesar Cut

For a Caesar haircut, while the hair is still really short, hair on top is just a tiny bit longer than the sides. The back has an undercut so you’ll always be trim and fresh.

#4: Marine Haircut

For the marine haircut, it’s similar to a buzz cut in that the hair is very short. The front is pointed to accent your hairline and there is minimal facial hair.

#5: Spiky Military Haircut

Do you like the short look but want a bit of texture? Ask your stylist to go with a gradual fade on sides, but leave the top a couple inches long so you can easily spike it up with product.

#6: High and Tight Military Haircut

For oval and sometimes even round faces, a high and tight military haircut can be very flattering. Its short sides and subtly shorter top help to narrow the face.

#7: Piecey Military Haircut

Another kind of twist on the military haircut is maintaining short sides but keeping a long top. Use mousse or gel to shape piecey locks with your fingers for sexy texture.

#8: Military Haircut for Curly Hair

If your natural hair texture is curly, you’ll love how a military haircut can bring out the best of your texture. This style is low maintenance and looks great with a very short beard.

#9: Thin Hair Military Cut

For men whose hair is thin in body, a military haircut with a cropped top is just the thing to thicken it up. The contrast of short sides and wavy top make it look fuller.

#10: Sleek Military Haircut

Just because you have a military haircut, that doesn’t mean you can’t look dapper! Smooth the hair up top into a sleek side part for a style you can rock at work.

#11: Military Haircut with Waved Front

This type of military haircut is popular for it’s slight wave uptick at the beginning of the hairline. Just use your fingers to brush the hair up with product. 

#12: Military Haircut for Receding Hairlines

Finding yourself with a receding hairline? A military haircut made for those hairline types will have you confidently embracing older age. 

#13: Military Haircut for Round Faces

On round or square faces, a military haircut with longer hair up top that reaches temples will set you straight. The detailed sides keep you looking cleaned up and fresh.

#14: Buzz Cut for Round Faces

For round and oval faces, try a buzz cut that leaves barely any hair there. If you’re a guy on the run, you’ll love the no-fuss look.

#15: Thick Hair Military Haircut

The way to brag about your thick hair is by framing it with short faded sides. Go for a blow-out or leave it to its own natural texture.

#16: Regulation Haircut

This haircut is commonly associated with the haircut of higher-ranking army men. This haircut allows more than two inches of middle area hair. The side and back hair is tapered using a pair of scissors and then a hair clipper.

#17: Low Fade

This low fade haircut makes the hair invisible from the sides and back lower than a high fade and higher than a regular fade. A low fade usually ends up about one inch above the natural hairline.

#18: Regular Fade

This haircut allows the gradual reduction of hair length from sides and back until the hair turns entirely invisible. In a regular fade haircut, the hair on the back and sides end up at the natural hairline.

#19: High Fade

This high fade haircut is used by most of the military men as it is very easy to maintain. In this haircut, the hair length is gradually reduced from sides and back. It completely disappears from the temples and about 2 inches before the natural hairline.

#20: Burr Cut

This cut is one step above the classic induction military cut in terms of length. The hair is trimmed up to 1/8 of an inch or so with a guard of number one or two. All of the head hair is trimmed with the same guard number.

#21: Rockabilly Cut

This one is the most decent but imperturbable military haircut that is a signature style of most of the army officials. The side and back hair are faded from the temples to the natural hairline.

#22: Blonde Military Fade

You would be quite familiar with this military haircut. It’s a blend of low fade haircut and the regulation military haircut. The middle area hair are not more than two inches in length and the side and back hair are faded.

#23: Crew Cut

Crew cuts are conventional military haircuts that have been used not only by army personnel but also by sportsmen. The side hair and back hair are cut down to the hairline and the top hair is trimmed from vertex towards the front.

#24: Short Crew Haircut

This haircut is very similar to the previous crew cut but it differs in terms of hair length. All the head hair is trimmed too short. In the top area, the hair does not exceed one inch.

#25: Military Undercut

This haircut has been trending for the last two years for some anonymous reasons. This one is the favorite haircut of the American adults around the age of 25. Not unlikely the previous military cuts, this haircut also has the length of top hair comparatively longer than the side and back hair.

#26: Conventional Haircut

As the name explains, the conventional haircut is a regular military haircut that has been used by most of the military men. The side and back hair length is not more than half inches and the top area hair are in between one and two inches in length.

#27: High And Tight

This haircut has the hair trimmed very short from the sides and back of the head whereas the middle area hair remains one inches in length. Undoubtedly, this haircut is one of the most thrilling military haircuts.

#28: Slicked Up Fade

This haircut is a blend of high fade haircut and the pompadour. The front/top area hair are tapered up to 4 inches whereas the side and back hair gradually reduces and completely disappear 3 inches before the natural hairline.

#29: Canon Cut

This is another haircut that has been used by the higher-ranking military official all over the world. This haircut involves high fade cut that makes the hair completely invisible two inches over the natural hairline.

#30: Butch Cut

This haircut is also a modification in the induction haircut. The hair length is a bit more than the hair length in the induction cut. This haircut involves all the hair clipped with any of the higher guard numbers of hair

clippers.

#31: Flat Top

The flat top is a military haircut that is not much popular as it has not been used by certain military men. But those who like to have a stand out personality and love to try new and distinctive things can enjoy this flat top.

#32: Troop Cut

This cut also has very much similar to the crew cut. This cut is also a favorite one of military men as well as sportsmen. The side and back are faded and the top hair is trimmed from vertex to front.

#33: Armed Fade Hairstyle

This military haircut gives a neat look and it’s very easy to maintain this style. The hair from the sides and back are trimmed too short whereas the length of top area hair is no longer than a 0.5 inch.

#34: Flock Cut

This haircut has been used by the military officials that are junior in ranks. Similar to short low fade haircut, this haircut also involves very short hair from all over the head with the faded temples.

#35: Haul Up Cut

Here comes another trendy military haircut that has been used by a majority of guys. The front hair is slicked back using a hair lotion. The sides and back is shaved to make it completely invisible two inches before the natural hairline.

#36: Square Cut

The highlight of this haircut is the square forehead line that gives a very neat and clean look. The facial hair is used to shape this line. The sides and back is faded and the top hair is not more than 0.5 inch.

#37: Recon Cut

This military haircut is an extreme form of the high and tight haircut. The hair on top is cut too short in length and the side and back hair are shorter in length as well.

#38: Low Fade Undercut

This haircut is a mixture of undercut and low fade. The middle area hair is about 5 to 6 inches in length and these hairs are slicked back using hair products. The side and back is faded up to the natural hairline.

#39: Brush Cut with Comb Over

This cut has some similarities with the flat top but this haircut doesn’t need the hair form a flat surface when slicked up. The hair is trimmed to give them a neat look and brushed up with comb to style it.

#40: Razor Cut

This haircut makes your hair very short and balanced from top, sides and back. As you can see in this picture, the middle and sides are separated making a wave. This haircut can be diversified implying diverse razor-works at the head.

#41: Beefy Cut

This cut has very much similar to the butch cut and induction cut. The length of hair in this haircut remains a bit longer than the traditional induction cut. The middle area hair length doesn’t exceed two inches.

#42: Pomade Cut

This haircut is a modification in the modern pompadour hairstyle. The hair in the top of the head is more in length than the side and back hair. The front hair are slicked back using a hair product.

#43: League Haircut

This haircut is another cut that has been used by the senior and higher-ranking military officials. This haircut is also very popular with the undergraduates and is known as a Harvard Cut or a Brown Cut.

#44: Twang Cut

This haircut is a moderate form of the high and tight haircut. But it differs from that haircut in terms of length. The hair length in twang cut is extra short from the middle and entirely fades from sides and back.

#45: Chief Cut

Now here comes another important military haircut that has been used by most of the army personnel. The hair length on the top of the head is comparatively higher than many of the military haircuts and the sides are faded.

#46: Taper Cut

This haircut is the favorite cut of most of the black men as it complements their African texture. A square forehead line is drawn using the facial hair that is giving a neat look to this style.

Ivy League Haircuts

#47: Uber Cut

This blonde with combination can make your haircut more appealing as it dissimilar the middle area hair from the sides and back. The middle area hair is not more than one inch in length while the sides are back are tapered too short.

#48: Meek Cut

You’ll be very familiar to this haircut as most of our Hollywood actors use this haircut in their action or war-themed movies. The length of crown area hair is not more than one inch and the temples are fading.

#49: Tender Cut

This haircut is similar to the undercut haircut. The top area hair is between 4 to 6 inches in length and the sides are faded. Before the two inches of natural hairline the side and back hair become invisible.

#50: Slicked Back Cut

Just like the pompadour haircut and the undercut, this haircut also has front hair in length. These hair are set back using the hair product. The sides and back are tapered up to 0.5 inch.

#51: Blonde Even Top

As the picture demonstrates, this haircut is a diversified form of the flat top. However, the length of the front hair is a bit shorter than the original flat top, and the sides are shaved and made invisible three inches over the natural hairline.

#52: Ranger Cut

This military haircut is very popular among the teens and adults thanks to the Hollywood stars. The side hair is tapered up to 0.5 inch and the top hair is between 4 to 5 inches in length.

#53: Bald Cut

This haircut is a moderate form of bald and fade cut and has been used by the majority of military men. All the hair of the head is trimmed too short from the top and sides as well.

#54: Spiky Fade

The spiky fade haircut makes you have about one-inch long hair on your crown area and shorter than that on your sides and back. The middle hair is styled up using hair product.

#55: Trimmed Cut

Here comes the last military haircut that you might have seen many times before. This haircut has also been used by a majority of army personnel. The sides are faded and the top area hair doesn’t exceed one inch in length.

Hope you would have enjoyed our collection of military haircuts. We would recommend you to try at least one of these war-themed haircuts as they will bring a change in your look and will boost your personality but the condition is that you pick the right style for you. Don’t forget to share your experience with us!