High and tight is a term used to denote any of several very short hair styles most commonly worn by men in military service, particularly the United States Marine Corps.
While many variations of the style exist, the one common denominator is that all of the hair is removed beneath a line that is always situated above the top of the ears. In some cases a sharp line delineates the boundary between the shaved and non-shaved areas, while in others a gradual, tapering effect (or "fade") is achieved. Sometimes a flat top is sported, with a "landing strip" exposing the skin in the center, which is occasionally extended all the way to the back of the head, creating a "horseshoe" effect. The length of the unshaved portion may also vary, but as a rule is no longer than a typical crew cut; sometimes the back and sides of the head are literally shaved with a razor (this is known as "whitewalls").
The style appears to have evolved from the mohawk hairstyle, and was adopted by the military as a tribute to the tribe's bravery. Beginning in the early 1990s, it crossed over into civilian life, being embraced first by mostly young African-American males, then spread to like-aged men in other groups; it has since gained wide acceptance throughout American society.