Boots’ Miles Heizer and Liam Oh Reveal Why They Were Looking Forward to Getting Buzz Cuts for the Show (Exclusive)

Being a part of the new military dramedy Boots meant that stars Miles Heizer and Liam Oh had to abide by a long-held practice of the U.S. Armed Forces: cutting off their hair.

As tradition requires, individuals who enlist in the military have to keep short hair for a variety of practical reasons, including for safety and cleanliness. This was something incorporated into Netflix’s Boots, adding to the realism depicted onscreen.

Heizer and Oh weren’t necessarily upset to make such a drastic change to their look for the series. In fact, the duo tells PEOPLE exclusively that the entire cast of recruits was totally game.

“It was kind of freeing. I liked it a lot,” says Oh.

“It was very exciting,” Heizer then says. “I think we were all looking forward to it, the build-up to it. So when we actually got to do it, it was a really nice bonding moment.”

According to Heizer, there was one thing the male-dominated ensemble didn’t expect.

“I think we all were surprised at how good it looked,” the Parenthood alum reveals. “I think we all were like, ‘Oh, it’s not bad. It feels good.'”

Oh, however, admits that there is one major downside to navigating the fully-shaven look: “Your head turns into a gigantic Velcro pad.”

“That’s the thing that I didn’t realize is that you’re head, like, sticks to pillows and shirts,” he continues. “You’re trying to pull a shirt on, you’re just struggling to get it over.”

“But other than that, it was fantastic,” he adds.

The pair’s costar, Max Parker, also tells PEOPLE that the buzz cut scenes are an “iconic” moment in military-inspired shows and films. “I feel like there’s always that scene. It’s almost like a rite of passage,” he says.

Agreeing with Parker, Oh concludes, “That’s why all the boys were so excited to do it in a way. They wanted to be part of the legacy of that scene.”

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Boots, which was created by Andy Parker and is based on Greg Cope White’s 2015 memoir The Pink Marine, follows closeted American teen Cameron Cope (Heizer) as he joins the US Marine Corps with his straight best friend Ray McAffey (Oh) after graduating from high school in the 1990s.

Other cast members include Vera Farmiga, Cedrick Cooper, Ana Ayora, Angus O’Brien, Dominic Goodman, Kieron Moore, Nicholas Logan, Blake Burt and Rico Paris.

In working with the large ensemble of men playing Boots‘ military recruits, Oh says, “I feel like you would expect this group of men in a lot of really macho, ripped dudes to be a hypermasculine environment, but actually it’s the group of the sweetest, softest, nicest boys you could ever imagine.”

“Just like big teddy bears, left and right,” he continues. “They’ll always give you a hug.”

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Boots is now streaming on Netflix.