There was a movement afoot in 1994 to change the badge worn by law enforcement rangers from the buffalo to the more common Federal design with an eagle on top, but this was rejected. It was felt the eagle design would give the bearer more authority in the eyes of the public. It was implemented, however, as a concealed badge in their credential case.

There are seven (7) shields, as these are called, in this series. These new "shields" are for park ranger, special agent, criminal investigator, chief park ranger, regional chief ranger, chief ranger, and assistant chief ranger.

1995 Park Ranger shield. This was to have been the new ranger badge, but it was opted to retain the buffalo. Instead it was issued to law enforcement rangers. NPSHC/HFC

The shield is the standard federal variety featuring an eagle on top with down swept wings. In a bar under the eagle, are the enamel-filled letters "US". The Department of the Interior seal is in the center of the shield encircled by an enamel ring containing "DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR•NATIONAL PARK SERVICE". Under the seal is an enameled bar with the shield holder's designation. Shield is gold plated throughout with all enamel being blue.

All of these shields were made by V.H. Blackinton and although of the same basic design, there are four styles. The only shield in the first style is the "Park Ranger". It was intended as a replacement for the current "buffalo badge and consequently was designed to be worn on the coat or shirt. This shield is a curved one-piece stamping with a pin clasp on the back. Under the designation bar at the bottom is another bar on which the shield number is located, also in blue enamel.

The second style covers the "Special Agent" and "Criminal Investigator" shields. Unlike the first, these are flat with the seal and bottom bar attached as separate pieces. These are also sequentially numbered in blue enamel under the designation bar same as the ranger. There is a half-inch wide clip on the back. All of the shields, with the exception of the Park Ranger, are made to be carried in a credential case along with the employees identification card. Since the duties of these two positions are usually performed in mufti, the Criminal Investigator shields come as a set of two identical badges; one for the credential case and the other to be worn exposed on the belt to indicate the wearer is on official business.

The third style is for the "Chief Park Ranger" and the "Regional Chief Ranger". These are the same as the second style except the bottom bar is larger. It was intended that the park or regional name be inserted in this location. Unfortunately, some of the park names were too long to fit the space allotted, so in order to be uniform throughout the Service, this space was left blank. This was also the period when the National Park Service was going through the pangs of "streamlining" with the resulting elimination of the "Regional Chief Ranger" position. With the elimination of these positions, these shields were recalled and are now dormant. They are being held, however, to be reissued, if and when in the ebb and flow of the Service restructuring process, this position is ever reconstituted.

Chief Ranger and Assistant Chief Ranger make up the fourth style. Since these positions are Service-wide, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE is included in blue enamel under their respective designations. And since these positions are unique, there is only one of each.