Induction cut
Encyclopedia
An induction cut is the shortest possible hairstyle without shaving the head
with a razor
. The style is so named as it is traditionally the first haircut given to new male recruits during initial entry into many of the world's armed forces, but most particularly in the United States
.
The induction haircut has both practical and psychological purposes. Originally, one of the reasons for the induction haircut was to reduce the chances of disease among closely quartered recruits from different geographical areas (with varying immunities), such as head lice. However, the haircut also has the psychological purpose of stripping recruits of their individuality and promoting the "team" mentality desirable in a platoon of military recruits.
For U.S. male recruits, the induction haircut has become a sometimes-dreaded symbolic rite of passage
for entry into the armed forces and is usually performed within minutes or hours of arrival at boot camp. It is one of several techniques used to mentally shock recruits into adapting to their decision to become a member of the armed forces. Although all branches of the U.S. armed forces employ the tradition of the induction haircut, the U.S. Marines have adopted the most severe version – a "zero-length" clipper blade to the scalp, although not shorter to avoid any minor injuries to recruits' head moles or other lesions.
Some Army drill sergeants have referred to this cut as the Mighty Fine. Other names for this haircut are the "buzz cut
" or a "number zero", "on the floor" and "the Army's #1 haircut".
Although the term "induction cut" is generally used to refer to male military haircuts, females also endure a form of an induction haircut, in that their hair may be trimmed to chin-length. The concept of an "induction haircut" has also been the focus of litigation, such as in the case of The Citadel
where attorneys for the first female cadet, Shannon Faulkner
, argued that the "knob haircut" (referring to the college's freshman class's traditional nickname) would "implement rules which altogether denigrate Ms. Faulkner's identity as a woman."http://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/06/us/us-moves-to-block-female-cadet-s-haircut.html
The term buzz cut is used to generically describe all hairstyles where the hair is cut short to a consistent length all over using clippers. The induction cut is distinguishable by the clippers being used without any guard or attachment, resulting in the shortest possible cut. The scalp is not shaved with a razor, but only very short stubble is left. Some people may refer to this haircut as a number 0.
As with many other short hairstyles, including a shaved head, the induction cut is becoming increasingly popular as an everyday hairstyle. It is one of the hairstyles that balding men often choose.
In the French Foreign Legion
(Légion Étrangère), this form of haircut, used by all recruits and many légionnaires, is termed 'boule á zéro' (zero ball). In recent years, the U.S. military style of high and tight
has also become popular in the Légion.
Head shaving
Head shaving is the practice of shaving the hair from a person's head. At different times and places people have shaved their heads for very diverse reasons: practical, religious, cultural, or aesthetic—so a shaven head has widely varying connotations depending on the context.-Early...
with a razor
Razor
A razor is a bladed tool primarily used in the removal of unwanted body hair through the act of shaving. Kinds of razors include straight razors, disposable razors and electric razors....
. The style is so named as it is traditionally the first haircut given to new male recruits during initial entry into many of the world's armed forces, but most particularly in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
The induction haircut has both practical and psychological purposes. Originally, one of the reasons for the induction haircut was to reduce the chances of disease among closely quartered recruits from different geographical areas (with varying immunities), such as head lice. However, the haircut also has the psychological purpose of stripping recruits of their individuality and promoting the "team" mentality desirable in a platoon of military recruits.
For U.S. male recruits, the induction haircut has become a sometimes-dreaded symbolic rite of passage
Rite of passage
A rite of passage is a ritual event that marks a person's progress from one status to another. It is a universal phenomenon which can show anthropologists what social hierarchies, values and beliefs are important in specific cultures....
for entry into the armed forces and is usually performed within minutes or hours of arrival at boot camp. It is one of several techniques used to mentally shock recruits into adapting to their decision to become a member of the armed forces. Although all branches of the U.S. armed forces employ the tradition of the induction haircut, the U.S. Marines have adopted the most severe version – a "zero-length" clipper blade to the scalp, although not shorter to avoid any minor injuries to recruits' head moles or other lesions.
Some Army drill sergeants have referred to this cut as the Mighty Fine. Other names for this haircut are the "buzz cut
Buzz cut
A buzz cut, induction cut or wiffle is a very short haircut.The cut is usually performed using hair clippers without a comb guard. The sides are cut closely and then the top is either shaped or cut to the same short length all over. The cut takes just a few minutes to perform. A buzz cut can...
" or a "number zero", "on the floor" and "the Army's #1 haircut".
Although the term "induction cut" is generally used to refer to male military haircuts, females also endure a form of an induction haircut, in that their hair may be trimmed to chin-length. The concept of an "induction haircut" has also been the focus of litigation, such as in the case of The Citadel
The Citadel
-Places:*The Citadel , a 201 m skyscraper in the United Arab Emirates*The Citadel , the old fortified city of Gozo, Malta*The Citadel , a shopping mall in Colorado*The Citadel , a diving spot in Martinique...
where attorneys for the first female cadet, Shannon Faulkner
Shannon Faulkner
Shannon Faulkner, born in Powdersville, South Carolina, United States, graduated from Wren High School in 1993, was the first female cadet to enter The Citadel. Faulkner enrolled after a successful lawsuit against the military academy. She joined an otherwise all-male class on August 15, 1995...
, argued that the "knob haircut" (referring to the college's freshman class's traditional nickname) would "implement rules which altogether denigrate Ms. Faulkner's identity as a woman."http://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/06/us/us-moves-to-block-female-cadet-s-haircut.html
The term buzz cut is used to generically describe all hairstyles where the hair is cut short to a consistent length all over using clippers. The induction cut is distinguishable by the clippers being used without any guard or attachment, resulting in the shortest possible cut. The scalp is not shaved with a razor, but only very short stubble is left. Some people may refer to this haircut as a number 0.
As with many other short hairstyles, including a shaved head, the induction cut is becoming increasingly popular as an everyday hairstyle. It is one of the hairstyles that balding men often choose.
In the French Foreign Legion
French Foreign Legion
The French Foreign Legion is a unique military service wing of the French Army established in 1831. The foreign legion was exclusively created for foreign nationals willing to serve in the French Armed Forces...
(Légion Étrangère), this form of haircut, used by all recruits and many légionnaires, is termed 'boule á zéro' (zero ball). In recent years, the U.S. military style of high and tight
High and tight
The high and tight is a military variant of the buzz cut. It is a very short hairstyle most commonly worn by men in the armed forces of most countries. Due to the functionality of this hairstyle, it is also popular with law enforcement officers and other public safety personnel...
has also become popular in the Légion.