National Park Service Badges and Uniform Ornamentation of the National Park Service

The first comprehensive uniform regulations for the National Park Service were formalized in 1920. These regulations specified the clothing to he worn by the various classes of employees and though ornamentation was covered rather extensively, there was no mention of a badge, although correspondence from the period indicates that a badge had been designed and was in the process of being made. Amendments were made in 1921 authorizing a additional badges and later changing who was to wear them, but the first time badges were incorporated into the regulations was 1923.

Forester was considered an officer position and even though the 1920 and all subsequent uniform regulations, up until 1928 when officers' sleeve insignia were discontinued, described it as having the basic officer insignia of "Three leaves [oak leaves] with crossed axes superimposed", the drawing accompanying the 1921 contract for sleeve insignia indicate it was to be the "Three cones with foliage" of the Chief Ranger with white crossed axes superimposed.

Following are the two regulations that set the standards for the early uniform decoration.

REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE USE OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE UNIFORM BY OFFICERS AND RANGERS OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

(1) The standard uniform for officers of the National Park Service shall consist of:

(a) Coat of forestry serge 12 to 14 oz.; four button sack; either open or English convertible collar*; pinch back and half belt in back; two breast pockets, pleated; two side pockets, bellows; all outside pockets with flaps fastened with Service buttons.

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*It had been agreed at the 1919 conference that the coat would be "four button sack; either open or English convertible collar". However, after the Regulations were drawn up, but prior to their adoption, it was decided that the coat would not be convertible, only open collar. In spite of this change, when the Regulations were issued, the term "English convertible collar" was incorporated in them and remained in subsequent Regulations until 1928, even though "convertible collars were not allowed.

(b) Riding breeches of same material; two side and two hip pockets and watch pocket; a double seat; with or without leather reinforcement inside knees; buttoned at knee opening.

(c) Leather puttees and shoes to match, tan or cordovan color, latter preferred, except on dress occasions, when leather puttees are prescribed. Either spiral puttees or tan riding boots may be worn as a part of uniform.

(d) Service hat — Stetson, either stiff or cardboard brim, "belly" color.

(e) Shirt — grey wool or white shirt and collar.

(f) Tie — dark green four-in-hand.

(g) Collar ornaments, sleeve insignia and service stripes as herein-after prescribed.

(h) Overcoat of forestry cloth 16 to 20 oz.; five button ulster type, double breasted, English convertible collar; diagonal side pockets, pinch back with half belt and back vented from waist.

(2) Officers in the field service of the National Parks to whom are referred in these regulations as authorized to wear the officers uniform of the service are those employees holding appointments under the following designations;

and such other employees as the Director of the National Park Service may from time to time authorize.

(3) The standard uniform for Park Rangers shall be the same as prescribed for officers with the following exceptions:

(a) Coat and riding breeches to be made of forestry cloth 16 to 18 oz. instead of forestry serge.

(b) Overcoat of forestry cloth 16 to 20 oz., four button mackinaw type, English convertible collar, half belt in back.

(4) While temporary rangers are not required to equip themselves with the standard ranger uniform, its use by them is encouraged. In lieu of the standard uniform all temporary rangers, before reporting for duty, or as soon afterward as practicable, will provide themselves with the following prescribed temporary ranger uniform.

Riding breeches — Dux back.
Puttees — leather, tan or cordovan color, preferably latter.
Shoes — to match puttees.
Shirt — grey wool.
Tie — dark green four-in-hand
Hat — Stetson — either stiff or cardboard brim, "belly" color.

Collar ornaments and sleeve insignia as prescribed under paragraphs 5 and 9.

(5) The collar ornament prescribed for all officers and rangers of the Service shall be the standard NPS service device containing the letters US, the various NPS service units to be differentiated as follows:

(a) All officers, device of gold,

(b) Chief Ranger, device of silver,

(c) Asst. Chief Rangers, device of silver,

(d) Park Rangers, device of silver,

(e) Park Rangers, Temporary, device of bronze.

(6) The sleeve insignia for the Director of the National Park Service shall consist of a single gold star surrounded by four maple leaves, the whole surrounded by a circular frame. The entire device to be embroidered on forestry serge, the star in gold, the leaves in dark green, and the circular frame in light green silk.

(7) The sleeve insignia for the Assistant Director of the National Park Service shall be the same as that prescribed for the Director except that the star shall be of silver color instead of gold.

(8) Oak leaves have been adopted as the basic insignia of the field service other than Rangers, for sleeve insignia. Upon all are superimposed devices designating the particular division of the field service to which the officer is attached. The various designations shall be as follows:

Superintendents — Three leaves with three acorns superimposed
Asst. Supts. — Two leaves with two acorns superimposed
Engineers — Three leaves with T-square and triangle superimposed
Asst. Engineers — Two leaves with T-square and triangle superimposed
Foresters — Three leaves with crossed axes superimposed
Chief Electricians — Three leaves with lightning bolt superimposed
Asst. Electricians — Two leaves with lightning bolt superimposed
Clerks — Two leaves with ink bottle and quill superimposed

(a) Officers' sleeve insignia shall be embroidered on forestry serge.

(9) The Sequoia cone and foliage have been adopted as the basic insignia for the Park Ranger Service for sleeve insignia, the differentiation in rank being indicated by the number of cones. The various designations shall be as follows:

Chief Ranger — Three cones with foliage,
Asst. Chief Rangers — Two cones with foliage,
Rangers — One cone with foliage,
Temporary Rangers — Foliage only.

(a) Sleeve insignia of the Ranger Service shall be embroidered on forestry cloth.

(10) All Rangers shall be in uniform when on duty at park headquarters during the tourist season, when on official business either inside or outside of the park, and on any other occasion as directed by the Superintendent of the park to which they are attached. In addition to this the use of the uniform is encouraged on all occasions where contact is had with the public either on or off duty where the nature of the duties being performed makes it practicable.

(11) Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, Engineers, and Assistant Engineers shall wear the uniform at all times when on duty during the tourist season and shall be required to transact all business either inside or outside of the park in uniform except when on duty in the District of Columbia, or as may be otherwise directed by the Director of the National Park Service.

(12) Other officers of the field service will not for the present be required to supply themselves with or wear the uniform but its use by all above included is urged so far as practicable.

(13) Collar ornaments shall be worn in pairs, one device on either side of coat or shirt collar.

(14) Sleeve insignia shall be worn on the upper right arm of coat or shirt.

(15) A service stripe of black braid 1/8" wide by 2 inches long. shall be allowed for each completed year of service, and a silver embroidered star for each completed five years. Service insignia shall be worn on the cuff of the left hand sleeve of coat, overcoat or shirt.

(16) Collar ornaments and sleeve and service insignia will be furnished by the Service upon requisition of the various park superintendents.

(17) These regulations shall be made applicable to officers and employees at Hot Springs Reservation with such modifications as in the discretion of the Director of the National Park Service may be appropriate.

(18) The above regulations shall but all officers and rangers are complete uniform equipment at become effective on July 1, 1920, urged to supply themselves with the earliest possible date.

Approved:

(sgd) Stephen T. Mather
Director, National Park Service
March 20, 1920

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service

(1) Each regularly employed officer of the field units of the National Park Service as hereinafter designated and each ranger, whether employed on a permanent or temporary basis, shall provide himself at his own expense with a regulation uniform as hereinafter specified and shall wear the same in such manner and at such times as specified in these regulations.

(2) The standard uniform for officers of the National Park Service shall consist of —

(a) Coat of forestry serge or whipcord 12 to 14 oz.; four-button sack; either open or English convertible collar; pinch back and half belt in back; two breast pockets, plaited; two side pockets, bellows; all outside pockets with flaps fastened with Service buttons.

(b) Riding breeches of same material; two side and two hip pockets and watch pocket; double seat; with or without leather reinforcement inside knees; buttons at knee opening.

(c) Leather puttees and shoes to match, tan or cordovan color, latter preferred. Except on dress occasions, when leather puttees are preferred, either spiral puttees or tan riding boots may be worn as a part of uniform.

(d) Service hat, Stetson, either stiff or cardboard brim, "belly" color.

(e) Shirt, grey wool or white shirt and collar.

(f) Tie, dark green four-in-hand.

(g) Collar ornaments, badge, sleeve insignia, and service stripes as hereinafter prescribed.

(h) Overcoat of forestry cloth 16 to 20 oz.; five-button ulster type, double breasted, English convertible collar; diagonal side pockets, pinch back with half belt and back vented from waist.

(3) Officers in the field service of the National Parks who are referred to in these regulations as authorized and instructed to wear the officers' uniform of the service are those employees holding appointments under the following designations:

Superintendents,
Assistant Superintendents,
Engineers,
Assistant Engineers,
Supervisors,
Assistant Supervisors,
Foresters,
Clerks,
Chief Electricians,
Assistant Electricians,

and such other employees as the Director of the National Park Service may from time to time authorize.

(4) The standard uniform for Park Rangers shall be the same as prescribed for officers with the following exceptions:

(a) Coat and riding breeches to be made of forestry cloth or whipcord 16 to 18 oz. instead of forestry serge.

(b) Overcoat of forestry cloth 16 to 20 oz., four-button Mackinaw type, English convertible collar, half belt in back.

(5) The collar ornament prescribed for all officers and rangers of the Service shall be the standard Park Service device containing the letters U.S., the various service units to be N.P.S. differentiated as follows:

(a) All officers, device of gold.

(b) Chief Ranger, device of silver.

(c) Assistant Chief Park Rangers, device of silver.

(d) Park Rangers, device of silver.

(e) Park Rangers, Temporary, device of bronze.

(6) The badge prescribed for all officers and rangers of the Service shall be of the design designated below:

(a) Director and Assistant Director, round form of badge, gold plated.

(b) Superintendents and Custodians, round form of badge, nickel plated.

(c) Chief Ranger and Assistant Chief Rangers, shield form of badge, gold plated.

(d) Park Rangers and Park Rangers, Temporary, shield form of badge, nickel plated.

(7) The sleeve insignia for the Director of the National Park Service shall consist of a single gold star surrounded by four maple leaves, the whole surrounded by a circular frame. The entire device is to be embroidered on forestry serge, the star in gold, the leaves in dark green, and the circular frame in light green silk.

(8) The sleeve insignia for the Assistant Director of the Service shall be the same as that prescribed for the Director except that the star shall be of silver color instead of gold.

(9) Oak leaves have been adopted as the basis insignia of the field service other than Rangers, for sleeve insignia. Upon all are superimposed devices designating the particular division of the field service to which the officer is attached. The various designations shall be as follows:

Superintendents — Three leaves with three acorns superimposed
Asst. Superintendents — Two leaves with two acorns superimposed
Engineers — Three leaves with T-square and triangle superimposed
Asst. Engineers — Two leaves with T-square and triangle superimposed
Foresters — Three leaves with crossed axes superimposed
Chief Electricians — Three leaves with lightning bolt superimposed
Asst. Electricians — Two leaves with lightning bolt superimposed
Clerks — Two leaves with ink bottle and quill superimposed

(a) Officer's sleeve insignia shall be embroidered on forestry serge.

(10) The Sequoia cone and foliage have been adopted as the basic insignia for the Park Ranger Service for sleeve insignia, the differentiation in rank being indicated by the number of cones. The various designations shall be as follows:

Chief Ranger — Three cones with foliage.
Asst. Chief Rangers — Two cones with foliage.
Rangers — One cone with foliage.
Temporary Rangers — Foliage only.

(a) Sleeve insignia of the Ranger Service shall be embroidered on forestry cloth.

(11) All Rangers shall be in uniform when on duty at Park headquarters during the tourist season, when on official business either inside or outside of the Park, and on any other occasion as directed by the Superintendent of the Park to which they are attached. In addition to this the use of the uniform is encouraged on all occasions where contact is had with the public either on or off duty where the nature of the duties being performed makes it practicable. Coat shall always, when worn, be kept fully buttoned.

(12) Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, Engineers, and Assistant Engineers shall wear the uniform at all times when on duty during the tourist season and shall be required to transact all business either inside or outside of the Park in uniform except when on duty in the District of Columbia, or as may be otherwise directed by the Director of the National Park Service. Coat shall always, when worn, be kept fully buttoned.

(13) Other officers of the field service will not for the present be required to supply themselves with or wear the uniform, but its use by all above included is urged so far as practicable.

(14) Collar ornaments shall be worn in pairs, one device on either side of coat or shirt collar.

(15) Sleeve insignia shall be worn on the upper right arm of coat or shirt.

(16) A service stripe of black braid 1/8 inch wide by 2 inches long shall be allowed for each completed year of service, and a silver star embroidered star for each completed five years. Service insignia shall be worn on the cuff of the left-hand sleeve of coat, overcoat or shirt.

(17) Each officer and ranger upon entrance on duty will be furnished, free of charge, two complete sets of collar ornaments, sleeve insignia, and service stripes. Each year thereafter one set of sleeve insignia and service stripes, or one new set for each uniform ordered, will be furnished by the Service. Any additional collar ornaments, sleeve insignia, or service stripes desired by employees will be furnished at cost prices.

Upon entrance on duty each Superintendent, Custodian and Ranger will be furnished with a badge for which a deposit of $5 will be required. This sum shall be returned upon surrender of the badge for which it was deposited. If the badge should be lost a new deposit of $5 will be required before a new badge may be issued. All employees now in the Service shall be required to make a like deposit for the badge now in their possession.

Badges are not to be sold or otherwise disposed of. They are issued to show authority and should not be allowed to fall into the hands of unauthorized persons.

(18) These regulations shall be made applicable to officers and employees at Hot Springs Reservation with such modifications as in the discretion of the Director of the National Park Service may be appropriate.

(19) The above regulations shall become effective March 1, 1923, but all Officers and Rangers are urged to supply themselves with complete uniform equipment at the earliest possible date.

(20) The foregoing regulations supersede all regulations previously issued on the same subject.

ARNO B. CAMMERER,
Acting Director,
National Park Service
Approved: February 16, 1923.

E.C. FINNEY,
First Assistant Secretary, Interior Department.