Tag Archives: Uniforms

National Park Rangers Uniforms

Preston to admonish Fechheimer to “advise the one making the inquiry that to date no definite decision has been reached by the uniform committee concerning the style of uniform for women employees of the National Park Service. Emblem patches were quite unpopular with uniformed employees at first, according to Workman, but within a short time it became accepted. But from that original order forward, when the individual orders anything, the uniform or accessories will come in that size needed at no extra cost even though this typically would cost up to three times the normal price.

Custom Uniforms and Gear for Forestry and National Park Rangers

Perhaps because visitors may be easily overwhelmed by the expansive parks, having a distinctive, easily recognizable uniform has remained a top priority of the National Park Service since the s. A number of key features such as the distinctive hat linger on. But now, after years of experience, the uniform is the very recognizable gray shirt, green trousers and distinctive hat for both women and men that we come to look for when we first pull into a national park, memorial or historic site.

The earliest park service employees did not wear a specific uniform. The first clear reference to badges for rangers relates to their use by Yellowstone National Park scouts. A badge the U. This makes sense, as Park Service employees actually replaced the soldiers handling such work in a number of the western parks.

Early accessories were of a higher quality for non-ranger officers than for those in the field. But inthe decision was made to make the quality the same for those outside doing much of the physical work of the parks as for administrators.

Neasham, historian for Region IV precursor of what would become the Western National Park Rangers Uniforms put forth the idea of an emblem containing such symbols as an arrowhead, buffalo or tree.

Eventually a design featuring an arrowhead, a Sequoia tree, a bison and distant mountains became the official emblem in Each component was included for a reason. Permanent employees received three patches and seasonal employees received one patch. Emblem patches were National Park Rangers Uniforms unpopular with uniformed employees at first, according to Workman, but within a short time it became accepted.

In an effort to head off commercial use of the emblem, in it was also made into the official NPS symbol. Prior tobelts were not covered in uniform policy regulations. Then over the next two-and-a-half decades, various changes in the style of the leather belt worn came about. Even something as basic as buttons had a long history starting with the first known button in At that time, despite the rangers having to furnish their own uniforms, buttons were issued to them for free. After the pine tree, the eagle in somewhat of a profile view was used on the buttons.

From an eagle in a pose greatly resembling that on the U. Presidential Seal was used. The eagle is still in use on current uniform buttons. The long and rather complicated history of these various components reflects the give-and-take between personalization of the uniforms by individual park service personnel and specified NPS administrative office guidelines clearing up any questions or misunderstandings.

For instance, after World War II, NPS employees were permitted to wear various insignia on their uniforms from their time in the armed services. This was originally to be for 60 days. This is for good reason. John B. Its popularity grew to the point where Stetson became a generic term National Park Rangers Uniforms much the same way Fedora did for city slickers.

Inan aluminum-colored pith helmet was proposed for use. That color was changed to forest green due to the difficulty of finding aluminum-colored helmets. But changes continued over the years. From a sand tan color, the hat went to a sun hat then to a boating hat similar to those worn by the U. This last hat was for those involved in…

Custom Embroidered Patches for Park Ranger Uniforms

The famous arrowhead patch is also not to be used; this is what makes the uniform unique. Old hands like Walter Fry or Dusty Lewis would still recognize a park ranger if they were to run into him today. Preston to admonish Fechheimer to “advise the one making the inquiry that to date no definite decision has been reached by the uniform committee concerning the style of uniform for women employees of the National Park Service. All permanent positions for women were classified as naturalists, even though some of them did occasionally perform ranger duties.

National Park Service Uniforms

Park uniform standards must be submitted to the regional director for approval. The flat hat, or campaign hat, was kept by designers, and the breeches and puttees that were worn resembled those of the cavalry officers that still occupied the parks. Proper wearing of the uniform includes: 1 wearing all prescribed uniform items; 2 wearing the uniform at all prescribed times; and 3 maintaining a clean and neat personal appearance taking into account the nature of work assignments. Civilian shirts and wide brimmed hats were mixed and matched with a U.

National Park Service uniforms

Instructions and Requirements 1. Park Police [see U. Park Police General Orders]. The uniform and the men and women who wear it, are recognized and respected as symbols of excellence and dedication to resource stewardship and public service.

Wearing the uniform, therefore, is a privilege and imposes a great responsibility, steeped in tradition. By wearing the uniform, each employee conveys integrity, competence, pride, and approachability. As a measure of their pride in that trust, employees must wear the uniform in such a way as to present a competent and confident image to the Nation and National Park Service Uniforms the world.

Accordingly, the goals of the NPS uniform program are to: Project a distinct uniform image to park visitors and the American public; Foster employee identification with the NPS and employee esprit de corps; Provide employees with functional, durable, and comfortable clothing which is appropriate for assigned duties and local climates, and fosters employee health and safety; Ensure the highest possible degree of consistency in uniform appearance commensurate with the diversity of tasks and climates; Maintain a uniform distribution system which provides quality uniforms in a timely manner and is financially accountable and cost-effective; and Utilize environmentally preferable and energy-efficient products and services to the extent possible within the needs of the program.

Unauthorized use is a criminal offense, punishable in accordance with 18 USC and Roles and Responsibilities 4. The Associate Director will issue, and review and revise as appropriate, RM In the absence of an advisory council, a field employee will be appointed from the discipline.

Supervisors will set National Park Service Uniforms example through their own appearance and behavior while in uniform. These are conditions of employment for all uniformed employees. A “Condition of Employment Statement” must be signed prior to acceptance of any proffered uniformed position see Exhibit A. Proper wearing of the uniform includes: 1 wearing all prescribed uniform items; 2 wearing the uniform at all prescribed times; and 3 maintaining a clean and neat personal appearance taking into account the nature of work assignments.

Instructions and Requirements 5. Only NPS employees [i. This must be done prior to appointment to any uniformed position, regardless of length of NPS service, and a copy of the letter will be placed in his or her Official Personnel Folder.

Persons not employed by the NPS may not wear any identifiable part of the official NPS uniform, or dress in a manner that attempts to duplicate the appearance thereof. When selecting the classes of uniform to be worn, the rule is to dress up, not down that is, given an option, dressier components are always preferred. For an expanded list of uniform components authorized for each class, see RM, Subpart A, section 2.

This class allows managers to prescribe components that dress up the standard components for ceremonial and National Park Service Uniforms profile occasions, or dress down slightly for light, outdoor duties corresponds to Class A Service and Semi-Formal uniforms identified in the guideline. Positions typically assigned to this uniform include those engaged in work projects, backcountry, and some resource management duties corresponds to Class A and B work National Park Service Uniforms identified in the guideline.

Special work apparel items are not available from the contractor; they are combined with standard uniform components. Employees in uniform are specifically prohibited from wearing non-uniform items, other than as undergarments.

Undergarments National Park Service Uniforms t-shirts must not be visible. Garments bearing the NPS arrowhead marketed through Eastern National as part of the arrowhead products program Arrowhead Products are expressly prohibited from wear with the uniform. Pins including length-of-service pinsbadges…

The uniform was the officially-approved start of the olive drab color, previous uniforms had been the same shade of green that the Forest Service wore. Where local options are authorized including exceptions for costumed interpretation, covert operations, specialty tasks, health and safety , superintendents will ensure uniformity within their areas see also section 5. Military occupation: to [ edit ] On August 18, , the U.

National Park Ranger Uniforms

The center was then cut out to accommodate the ranger badge. The disposition of the badges is unknown, although some of them no doubt became souvenirs. Until that time, fire guards were issued standard park ranger badges whenever the need arose. The question for the agency, then, was what will satisfy the permanent and innumerable seasonal women?

Park Ranger Uniforms and Accessories

The earliest park service employees did not wear a specific uniform. The first clear reference to badges for rangers relates to their use by Yellowstone National Park scouts.

A badge the U. This makes sense, as Park Service employees actually replaced the soldiers handling such work in a number of the western parks.

Early accessories were of a National Park Ranger Uniforms quality for non-ranger officers than for those in the field. But inthe decision was made to make the quality the same for those outside doing much of the physical work of the parks as for administrators.

These rangers often ease the minds of curious and anxious park-goers many miles from home. Perhaps of equal importance of the uniform as symbol of what the parks stood for was the NPS emblem, which eventually came about in Aubrey V. Neasham, historian for Region IV precursor of what would become the Western Region put forth the idea of an emblem containing such symbols as an arrowhead, buffalo or tree. Eventually a design featuring an arrowhead, a Sequoia tree, a bison and distant mountains became the official emblem in Each component was included for a reason.

Permanent employees received three patches and seasonal employees received one patch. Emblem patches were quite unpopular with uniformed employees at first, according to Workman, but within a short time it became accepted. In an effort to head off commercial use of the emblem, in it was also made into the official NPS symbol.

Prior tobelts were not covered in uniform policy regulations. Then over the next two-and-a-half decades, various changes in the style of the leather belt worn came about. Even something as basic as buttons had a long history starting with the first Glacier National Park To Great Falls Mt button in At that time, despite the rangers having to furnish their own uniforms, buttons were issued to them for free.

After the pine tree, the eagle in somewhat of Glacier National Park To Great Falls Mt profile view was used on the buttons. From an eagle in a pose greatly resembling that on the U. Presidential Seal was used.

The eagle is still in use on current uniform buttons. The long and rather complicated history of these various components reflects the give-and-take between personalization of the uniforms by individual park service personnel and specified NPS administrative office guidelines clearing up any questions or misunderstandings.

John B. Its popularity grew to the point where Stetson became a generic term in much the same way Fedora did for city slickers. Inan aluminum-colored pith helmet was proposed for use. That color was changed to forest green due to the difficulty of finding aluminum-colored helmets.

But changes continued over the years. From a sand tan color, the hat went to a sun hat then to a boating hat similar to those worn by the U….

Early Challenges and The First ”Rangerettes”

A number of these were struck, including at least one gold-plated example, but the idea did not catch on and it was dropped. At the same time the permanent and seasonal assistant chief park rangers were relegated to wearing the silver badge of the rangers. Supply problems plagued implementation, but the threat of a class action lawsuit by female employees finally spurred the agency to resolve lingering obstacles, and two years after the order, women at last had a right to wear all the same uniforms and accessories as their male counterparts, in all its variations.