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The Developing Years
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National Park Service Uniforms The Developing Years 1932-1970 |
Number 5 |
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An undated synopsis of the uniform regulations from around this period gives the names and addresses of two uniform manufacturers currently supplying National Park Service uniforms. Fechheimer Brothers Company, Cincinnati, Ohio and B.B. McGinnis Company, 547 Seventeenth Street, Merced, California.
 Rangers McLaren and Evans measuring snow pack at Snow Flat at Tioga Pass. Date: 1957. Since there isn't much chance of them meeting visitors, both are wearing a combination of NPS and personal clothing. NPSHPC 68-YOSE-F.652 |
The records also contain another synopsis, dated February 27, 1950, from Shenandoah National Park. It states that heavy high-top leather laced boots were recommended for the fatigue uniform and states "Fatigue uniform trousers may be of canvas or water repellent material in forest green or tan when field conditions make it desirable." It also suggests that Park Rangers have two standard uniforms, one of 13-oz. gabardine for summer and one of 16-oz. elastique for winter. The above changes must have been initiated by Superintendent Edward D. Freeland for Shenandoah's rangers only, since they are not authorized by the 1947 regulations or its amendments.
The 1947 National Park Service uniform regulations were in effect for nine years. Consequently, there were a number of amendments to them, some of which simply concerned clarification of the wording. Others, though, like those below, made small alterations to the regulations themselves.
Amendment No.1 (June 2, 1947) - Overcoat material changed from Elastique to all wool beaver or melton cloth.
Amendment No.4 (January 13, 1950) - Dark green wool could be used for ties, as well as the barathea silk.
Amendment No.5 (May 24, 1950) - Photographs of rangers (including one of a woman) wearing the various uniforms were inserted to show how they should be worn.
Amendment No.6 (June 26, 1950) - Superintendents could now authorize the use of non-visible spring collar clip as a means of improving the appearance of the shirt collar.
Amendment No.7 (June 29, 1952) - New National Park Service arrowhead patch authorized to be worn on all uniform coats, jackets and shirts, "except on raincoat".
Amendment No.8 (September 18, 1953) - The sun helmet is deleted. At the same time 90% Orlon/10% Rayon mixed materials were authorized to be used in place of the previously prescribed forestry green elastique cloth, if such materials in the proper weave and color are available from the uniform manufacturer.
Amendment No.9. (March 24, 1954) - Rangers authorized to wear shirt with collar open when authorized by superintendent.
 One of the first arrowhead shoulder patches. Three were issued to each permanent and one to each temporary ranger. Unfortunately, these first patches were not sanforized and could only be worn on the coat. This was corrected on future orders. NPSHC |
Amendment No.7 was especially significant. A contest had been held in 1949 in an attempt to come up with a symbol for the National Park Service. Even though the winning design was never used (see Book No.1, Badges and Insignia), the idea of using a tree and the arrowhead was brought forth. After much refinement, the Arrowhead became the official emblem of the National Park Service on July 20, 1951. It was first used the following year in static situations, such as folders and park signs. Then on June 29, 1952, with the above amendment, it began to be used on uniform coats. It has graced the ranger's uniform ever since.
Rangering was, and still is, a vocation, not a job. Rangers worked long hours for low pay, from which they had to buy their uniforms. This was alleviated, somewhat on September 1, 1954, when the Federal Employees Uniform Allowance Act (Public Law 763) was approved, authorizing a clothing allowance for federal employees that were required to wear a uniform. Uniformed members of the National Park Service began receiving their clothing allowance for the first time on May 3, 1955, under FAO-19-55. The allowance was computed at $0.274 for each day the individual was employed, or $25.00 per quarter, for a maximum of $100.00 per year. [30]
In 1956, the National Park Service revised its entire format for uniform regulations. Uniform Regulations were no longer a separate entity, but were now Part 160 of the National Park Service Administrative Manual. These new regulations went into effect on September 11, superceding all of the previous regulations. Specifications were back to text only, with the drawings and photographs utilized in previous editions eliminated.
These regulations remained basically the same as previously in effect, although there were a couple of minor changes. Amendment No.1 of the 1947 was incorporated giving employees their choice of having their overcoat made of either all-wool beaver or melton cloth instead of elastique. As in the past, anyone having the elastique overcoat could wear it as long as it was presentable and serviceable. The fatigue uniform now became a "field" uniform with the option of having a single or a double layer back. With single back, yoke effect did not appear on front.
At the same time, chief park naturalists, historians, and archaeologists were authorized to wear the same gold badge as used by chief rangers.
 One of the six-star Length-of-Service panels suggested by Charles C. Sharp. NPSHC |
The length-of-service insignia was further refined. Until now, the service stars had been embroidered on a continuous roll, same as the stripes. When cut and applied to the sleeve, the serge material often unraveled and took on a ragged appearance if not sewn properly. Charles C. Sharp suggested that the stars be made up on neat cloth panels of from one to six each with a border around them, like the arrowhead patch. This suggestion was incorporated in the new regs. In addition because of the long service of some personnel, it was decided that when seven stars were worn, the bottom row would contain five, instead of the customary four.
On March 20, 1957, Amendment No.3 authorized the use of 12-ounce Dacron-wool material for summer uniforms, as well as a new cap for the Winter Patrol Uniform. The new cap, similar to a hat bearing the "North King" trade name, was for wear in areas of extreme cold. This cap was fur lined in a "beaver brown" color with adjustable earflaps and embroidered NPS insignia on the front. The standard ski cap was retained for use in less extreme areas.
Badges were to be worn on the pocket flap of the shirt when a coat was not worn. Amendment No.5 (May 9, 1958) changed this location to above the pocket. Unfortunately, the badge proved to be too heavy for the lightweight material used for the shirts, so the design of the shirts was changed to incorporate a reinforcement above the pocket to accommodate the badge. Old style shirts could be worn until the following June 1, creating a situation where badges were being worn on shirts in two different locations, even in the same park.
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Last Modified: Wed, Feb 7 2001 11:30:00 pm PDT
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