The term "jarhead" has existed long before crew cuts and "high-and-tights." In the 1930s sailors and perhaps others called Marines "jarheads" because of the stereotype of a muscular, thick-necked man whose neck was as thick as his head. In other words, they said his head was like a jar sitting atop his shoulders.

I think if might even go back further than that to the days of leather collars.

Jackg

USMC 1958-1964

I always find it amusing when non-military types "fake" part of their story because they are too lazy to do any research to confirm their facts. He probably thinks that since the book "Jarhead" was about the author's time in the Corps during the early nineties that the nickname must have originated at the same time.

KW

USMC 1992 - 2000

there have been jarheads and gyrines for as long as i can remember and the always kept it high and tight.

they gave the aviation guys a little slack on the haircut thing. the last thing a marine officer pilot wants to do is give his enlisted plane crew any shit.

I just read recently that the term "leathernecks" referred to high leather collars on uniforms. The leather collars were designed to protect against attempts to chop off their heads with swords. Times have changed eh?

"they gave the aviation guys a little slack on the haircut thing"

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Yeah and the medical guys had it even more relaxed. The longer hair Hawkeye Pierce sported was actually close to representative for some medical divisions.

Longest hair in the military? The Flight Surgeon! (Aviation AND medical) LOL