NPS Uniform Wear Guide

How to Use This Guide

The National Park Service (NPS) Uniform Wear Guide is a helpful companion to the official uniform policy. Uniformed employees can use this guide to identify the most appropriate type of uniform for their role and function, as well as how to properly wear each garment. The first section of this guide provides an overview of each type of uniform (service, field, work, and dress) and includes visual examples with a bulleted list of garments. The second half of this guide gives detailed instructions for how each garment should be worn. Additional information about sizing and caring for each garment is available on the uniform website.

Uniform Policy

The NPS uniform program is governed by Director’s Order 43. Further guidance for implementing the uniform program, including uniform program administration, uniform types, personal appearance standards, prohibited use while in uniform, and more can be found in Reference Manual 43. Both documents are available on the NPS policy website.

Law Enforcement and Emergency Service Personnel

Policy and guidance for uniforms worn by NPS Law Enforcement and Emergency Services personnel is covered in Reference Manual 9, Chapter 6 for Law Enforcement Personnel.

Uniform Purpose

The NPS uniform is among the most identifiable in federal service and a valuable asset in our effort to accomplish the NPS mission.

Public perception

The uniform ensures NPS employees are easily identified and recognized as stewards of Americas most treasured public lands. The uniform instills confidence and conveys integrity, competence, pride, and approachability.

Esprit de corps

The uniform and its history are a source of inspiration. By taking pride in the NPS uniform, employees foster teamwork and a sense of shared responsibility of stewardship within their respective parks, programs, and the service.

Flexibility

NPS employees are responsible for a wide range of tasks. The uniform is designed to be functional, durable, and comfortable in each context.

Climate

NPS employees work in a variety of climates across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and US territories. The uniform program provides options for employees to work comfortably in these different settings.

Choosing a Uniform

The NPS uniform program includes four distinct uniforms, each designed to support a different set of environmental conditions and employee roles: service, field, work, and dress. When deciding which uniform to wear, this guide, as well as your supervisor, will help you to choose the uniform that is most appropriate for your working environment and your role within the NPS.

Uniform Seasons

In general, summer and winter uniform components should not be mixed. For example, the winter felt flat hat should only be worn with other winter uniform components. However, employees may choose to wear a long sleeve uniform shirt in place of short sleeve to minimize sun exposure. Reference the Uniform Matrix in the Appendix B to see which garment aligns with which season. You should also refer to your local uniform standards for any season and transition periods.

Public Contact: Service Uniform

The service uniform is the standard uniform for employees in public contact positions, for managers and supervisors, and for other non-maintenance uniformed employees. These employees should wear the service uniform for routine, daily activities whenever environmental conditions permit.

Public Contact + Adverse Conditions: Field Uniform

The field uniform is visually similar to the service uniform but is designed to better support work in situations where the service uniform would be impractical or inappropriate due to climate, terrain, or safety concerns.

Not Public + Adverse Conditions: Work Uniform

The work uniform is worn by employees engaged in daily or planned work projects and backcountry operations, when warranted by environmental and working conditions, and when the potential for public contact is low.

Formal Occasions: Dress Uniform

The dress uniform is worn by management personnel and immediate staff in formal occasions where evening attire would be expected, or military personnel would appear in their dress uniform.

Wearing the Service Uniform

The service uniform is the standard uniform for employees in public contact positions.

Who should wear the service uniform?

• Appropriate WASO and Regional Leadership
• Employees in public contact positions
• Superintendents
• Division chiefs
• Managers
• Maintenance managers
• Supervisors of public contact employees
• Other non-maintenance uniformed employees

When should I wear the service uniform?

Wear the service uniform for routine, daily activities involving a high degree of public contact or supervision of public contact whenever environmental conditions permit, such as:

• Operation of visitor centers, campgrounds, entrance stations, and other visitor facilities
• Presentation of interpretive programs
• Front country patrol by foot, vehicle, or horse

General Rules

Only wear the ranger hat outdoors and inside entrance stations.

Service Uniform Examples

A model wearing the Summer Service Uniform with cordovan walker shoes

Summer Service

• Ranger hat (straw)
• Service dress shirt (short or long sleeve)
• Badge (metal)
• Name plate (brass)
• Embossed belt
• Dress trousers
• Brown dress crew socks
• Cordovan walker or dress shoes

A model wearing the Winter Service Uniform with dress shoes

Winter Service Uniform

• Ranger hat (felt)
• Service dress shirt (long sleeve)
• Pullover sweater (optional)
• Tie
• Tie tack
• Badge (metal)
• Name plate (brass)
• Embossed belt
• Dress trousers
• Brown dress crew socks
• Cordovan walker or dress shoes

Wearing the Field Uniform

When environmental conditions, such as climate, terrain, or safety, make wearing the service uniform in a public contact position impractical.

Who should wear the field uniform?

• Employees in public contact positions
• Superintendents
• Division chiefs
• Managers
• Maintenance managers
• Supervisors of public contact employees
• Other non-maintenance uniformed employees

When should I wear the field uniform?

Wear the field uniform for routine, daily activities involving a high degree of public contact or supervision of public contact in which the wearer is subject to adverse environmental conditions, such as:

• Outdoor activities in foul weather
• Interpretive walks on unsurfaced trails
• Front country patrols in mixed environments (e.g. roads, trails, open ground, and boat patrols using hard-hulled craft)
• Horse patrols or resource management activities in areas highly visible to the public.

Field Uniform Examples

A model wearing the Summer Field Uniform

Summer Field Uniform

• Ball cap (summer)
• Field shirt (short sleeve)
• Name plate (brass)
• Badge (metal)
• Trousers
• Embossed Belt
• Brown dress crew socks
• Walkers or hiking boots

A model wearing the Winter Field Uniform

Winter Field Uniform

• Ball cap (winter)
• Field shirt (long sleeve under outerwear)
• Tie
• Tie tack
• Name plate (brass)
• Badge (metal)
• Embossed belt
• Pullover sweater (optional)
• Cargo trousers
• Brown dress crew socks
• Walkers or hiking boots

Wearing the Work Uniform

Wear the work uniform for planned work projects or backcountry operations when environmental or work conditions make the field uniform impractical.

Who should wear the work uniform?

• Employees engaged primarily in work duties and work projects
• All wage-grade employees and persons performing resource management work of a maintenance nature

When should I wear the work uniform?

Wear the work uniform for routine, daily work and patrol activities involving a low degree of public contact, such as:

• Wilderness, backcountry, boundary, ski and boat patrols
• Overnight guided hikes
• Resource management activities in areas generally not visible to the public

Work Uniform Examples

A model wearing the Summer Work Uniform

Summer Work Uniform

• Ball cap (summer)
• Work shirt
• Name plate (cloth)
• Jeans/brush pants
• Embossed belt
• Brown dress crew socks
• Walkers, hiking or work boots

A model wearing the Winter Work Uniform

Winter Work Uniform

• Fur trooper hat
• Work shirt (under outerwear)
• Coveralls
• Name plate (cloth)
• Jeans (under outerwear)
• Brown dress crew socks
• Walkers, hiking or work boots

Wearing the Dress Uniform

Who should wear the dress uniform?

This option is for management personnel and immediate staff only. At the discretion of the senior manager, personnel can wear this dress when attending a formal dinner, ball, or reception.

When should I wear the dress uniform?

Wear the dress uniform when a civilian would be expected to wear formal evening attire and military personnel would appear in dress uniform.

A model wearing the Dress Uniform

Dress Uniform Example

• Ranger hat (summer or winter)
• Dress shirt (gray or white)
• USNPS insignia
• Tie
• Tie tack
• Name plate (brass)
• Badge (metal)
• Dress coat (summer or winter)
• Dress trousers (summer or winter)
• Embossed belt
• Brown dress crew socks
• Walkers or dress shoes

Accessories

Many of the following items refer to personal items purchased outside the uniform program that may be seen or worn with the uniform.

Bags (e.g. day packs, fanny packs, and handbags)

• Dark green, brown, or black in color
• Free of patches and all other decorations
• When used in public view, handbags must be neutral in color (e.g. brown, cordovan, or black) and must not draw attention away from the uniform

Gloves

• Brown or black in color
• If purchased from the uniform program, Velcro™ closures closed and snaps snapped

Eyeglasses, Sunglasses and Retaining Straps

• Sunglasses which are dark enough to make it difficult or impossible to see the employee’s eyes should not be worn in visitor contact situations except when absolutely necessary, such as when prescribed by a doctor for light sensitivity
• No mirrored sunglasses
• Sunglass rims must be neutral in color (e.g. gray, black, or brown) and must not draw attention away from the uniform
• Retaining straps must be neutral in color (e.g. gray, black, brown, or dark green)
• Glasses on straps must hang so that neither the strap nor glasses obscure the badge or name tag

Scarves

Must be green, matching uniform color

Umbrellas

Must be black when used in public view

The NPS uniform badge

Badge (Metal)

Worn vertically

Badges are worn vertically, with the tip pointing down

Pinned through tabs

Badges are pinned through the tabs provided on garments

Polished with non-abrasive materials

Badges must shine, but care must be taken to use only non-abrasive materials when polishing, since the thin gold coating may be easily removed (Note: products like Brasso are abrasive and not recommended)

Collar Insignia

Worn parallel to ground

Worn centered on lapels

Polished with non-abrasive materials

Insignia must be bright and untarnished, but care must be taken to use only non-abrasive materials when polishing, since the thin gold coating may be easily removed

Worn with dress coat or “Ike” coat

Embossed Belt

Polished

Current-issue buckles only

Only NPS uniform supplier-provided and current-issue buckles may be worn on the belt

Free of scuffs and abrasions

Necessary accoutrements only

Accoutrements must be commensurate with and necessary for the duties being performed

Minimize number of keys

Particular attention should be paid to minimizing the number of keys carried on the belt

Cordovan straps and cases

Straps and cases for glasses, Leatherman™-type tools, gloves, and similar approved accoutrements must be cordovan, dark brown, or black

Hats

General Guidance for Appropriate Wear

All hats are worn level

Hats are worn level, so that the brim or bottom of the hat is parallel to the ground. Canting (slanted sideways) or tipping (slanted front to back) are not permitted.

Two-finger rule

Hat brims should be the approximate width of two fingers above the eyebrow

No hair on forehead

No hair may hang below hat brims on the wearer’s forehead

Appropriate Hats for Each Uniform Type

Dress Uniform

• Ranger Hat

Service Uniform

• Fur Trooper Cap
• Ranger Hat

Field Uniform

• Ball Cap
• Fur Trooper Cap

Work Uniform

• Balaclava
• Ball Cap
• Breezer Work Hat
• Fleece Hat
• Fur Trooper Cap

Ball Cap

• Bill may be rolled but not creased
• Adjustable straps must be snapped

Breezer Work Hat

• Worn with neck strap behind the neck unless needed to hold the hat on the head against wind, river rapids, etc.
• Never modified to hold the brim in a position(s) different from supplier shipped (i.e. no Velcro™, pins or other method to hold the brim up to the crown; chin strap is not used to hold the brim in a “cowboy hat” style)
• Must be replaced once excessive fading or sweat stains are noticeable

Fleece Hat

Worn with Arrowhead centered on the front of the head

An example of the Fur Trooper Cap

Fur Trooper Cap

Worn with flaps and chin straps up

Fur trooper caps are not worn with flaps and chin straps down and/or strapped except in extreme weather conditions. When flaps are worn down, the strap is snapped either under the chin or behind the head

No badge on front flap

Badges are not permitted on the front flap of the cap

Ranger Hat

The ranger hat is the most important, recognized and respected symbol associated with the NPS, and should be worn with pride and care. View Appendix A: Tying the Hatband for additional guidance.

When to wear

• Outdoors
• Entrance stations

When not to wear

• Indoors
• Extreme cold weather
• Highly windy environments
• Vehicle law enforcement patrol in which the need to respond quickly precludes wearing it
• Exigent circumstances as identified by an authorized person

Felt vs. straw

The ranger hat is available in both felt for winter use and straw for summer use

Chinstrap

• The chinstrap is wrapped around the back of the hat under the hatband and threaded through the grommets on each side of the hat
• The chinstrap is worn on the back of the head with the buckle centered

Hatband polished

Both leather and metal cones should be polished with a non-abrasive material

Rain cover worn over hatband

Rain covers are to be worn over the hatband with the seam in back and loose plastic snugged tight

An example of the NPS uniform name plate

Name Plates (Brass and Cloth)

Worn 1/8” over right pocket

The name plate is worn level, centered and 1/8” (the width of a nickel) above the top of the right pocket flap, or, when worn on outerwear, on the similarly positioned tab

Names without titles

Name plates never contain titles such as “Mr.,” “Mrs.,” “Dr.,” or “Ph.D.”

Name combinations

Every name plate must contain one of these combinations:

• First Name/Last Name
• First Initial/Last Name
• First Name/Last Initial

No arrowhead symbol

The service name plate, which features an arrowhead symbol, is only worn on civilian clothing to identify the wearer as a representative of the NPS who is acting in an official capacity. It is not worn with the service uniform.

Outerwear and Layers

Appropriate Outerwear and Layers for Each Uniform Type

Dress Uniform

• Dress coat or “Ike” coat

Service Uniform

• Apex windbreaker
• Down parka
• Dress coat or “Ike” coat
• Fleece Jacket
• Gore-tex Shell
• Jacket hood system
• Pullover sweater
• Rain/wind pants
• Raincoat

Field Uniform

• Apex windbreaker
• Coveralls
• Down parka
• Field/Work Jacket
• Fleece Jacket
• Gore-tex Shell
• Insulated vest
• Jacket hood system
• Pullover sweater
• Rain/wind pants
• Raincoat
• Turtleneck

Work Uniform

• Apex windbreaker
• Coveralls
• Down parka
• Field/Work Jacket
• Fleece Jacket
• Gore-tex Shell
• Insulated vest
• Jacket hood system
• Pullover sweater
• Rain/wind pants
• Raincoat
• Turtleneck

Apex Windbreaker

Worn with name plate (brass) and badge on exterior

Coveralls

• Snapped except for top snap wherever practical
• Zipper closed
• Worn temporarily over Field Uniform, or as a substitute for Field Uniform in very hot climatic conditions

Down Parka

• Worn with name plate (brass) and badge on parka
• Should be long enough to reach the belt and cover the entire shirt

Dress Coat or “Ike” Coat

• Always worn with necktie
• End of coat sleeves should be at the wrist bone
• Shirt sleeves no more than 1/8” beyond sleeve ends
• Fully buttoned or zipped
• Worn with USNPS collar insignia, name plate (brass) and badge on coat
• May not be worn with law enforcement equipment
• The summer dress coat is worn with summer pants or skirt. The winter dress coat is worn with winter pants or skirt. Mixing of fabrics is not permitted.

Field/Work Jacket

• Pockets buttoned
• Worn with name plate (brass) and badge on jacket
• Worn with USNPS collar insignia unless safety concerns dictate otherwise
• Worn with name plate (cloth) on jacket
• Pockets buttoned
• Liner only worn zipped-in

Fleece Jacket

Worn with name plate (brass) and badge on exterior

Gore-tex Shell

• Worn with name plate (brass) and badge on overshell
• Side zipper should be closed when not worn with defensive equipment. When opened to accommodate such equipment, the snap should be closed at the bottom behind the holster or radio case.
• Velcro wrist closures must be closed
• Liners only worn zipped-in
• Worn with name plate (brass) and badge

Insulated Vest

Worn with name plate (brass) and badge on insulated vest

Jacket Hood System

• Only worn on coats in inclement weather or when inclement weather is imminent
• Must not be worn with ranger hat

Pullover Sweater

• Worn with name plate (brass) and badge on sweater
• Worn full length, unless with law enforcement equipment
• Cuffs folded back

Raincoat

• Worn either fully-zipped or fully-opened
• Worn only when it is precipitating

Rain/Wind Pants

• May be worn temporarily over dress trousers
• Worn fully-zipped, snapped and strapped

Turtleneck

• Worn under long-sleeve shirt
• Neck portion must be folded over once
• Dickies with same neck appearance as the supplied turtleneck may be worn if they are black and not faded

Pants and Skirts

General Guidance for Appropriate Wear

Waistbands should not roll outward.

Appropriate Pants and Skirts for Each Uniform Type

Dress Uniform

• Dress Skirt
• Dress Trousers

Service Uniform

• Dress Skirt
• Dress Trousers

Field Uniform

• Cargo or Lightweight Shorts
• Convertible Trousers
• Field Twill or Cargo Trousers

Work Uniform

• Brush Pant, Convertible Trousers, Cargo Trousers or Jeans
• Cargo or Lightweight Shorts
• Convertible Trousers
• Field Twill or Cargo Trousers

Brush Pant, Convertible Trousers, Cargo Trousers or Jeans

• Seam creases must be apparent
• Bottoms of pants must hang no higher than 3” above the ground
• Bottoms of pants should be parallel with the ground
• Not cuffed or rolled
• Pocket flaps must cover pockets and be buttoned
• Items in pockets should not cause obvious bulges or be thicker than ½”

Cargo or Lightweight Shorts

• May only be worn when extreme climatic conditions warrant their use
• Worn with belt in front country and for public contact work
• May be worn without socks when worn with boat shoes
• Convertible Trousers
• Detachable legs must be the same color shade as main garment (always wash them together)
• May only be worn when extreme climatic conditions warrant their use
• Worn with belt in front country and for public contact work
• When worn as shorts, follow guidelines for shorts

Dress Skirt

• Must be free of wrinkles, shiny surfaces and bagginess
• No shorter than mid-knee
• No longer than 3” below knee
• Must be worn with skin-toned hosiery

Dress Trousers

• Seam creases must be apparent
• Bottoms of pants must hang no lower than the heel welt and no higher than 3” above the ground
• Bottoms of pants should be parallel with the ground
• Not cuffed or rolled
• Pocket flaps must cover the pocket
• Items in pockets should not cause obvious bulges or be thicker than ½”

Field Twill or Cargo Trousers

• Seam creases must be apparent
• Bottoms of pants must hang no higher than 3” above the ground
• Bottoms of pants should be parallel with the ground
• Not cuffed or rolled
• Pocket flaps must cover pockets and be buttoned
• Items in pockets should not cause obvious bulges or be thicker than ½”

Shirts

General Guidance for Appropriate Wear

Buttons

• Fully button front buttons except the top collar button, unless worn with a tie.
• Pocket and sleeve-vents should be buttoned.
• There should be no spread between front buttons when sitting; if there is, the shirt is too tight.

Pens and pencils must not protrude

Pens and pencils must not visibly protrude more than a quarter inch from the tops of pockets. The clip must be under the pocket flap. Nothing should be carried in the pockets that are thicker than ½-inch.

Tucked-in and “bloused”

Shirts should always be tucked in and “bloused,” where the shirt is gathered at the sides or in back and tucked in so that the front is smooth.

Straight vertical line

When viewing from the front, a straight line should be maintained through the shirt buttons, belt buckle, and fly.

T-shirt not visible

T-shirts must never be visible under shirts at the neck or the sleeves.

The short and long sleeve shirts of the Service, Field, and Work Uniforms

Service, Field, and Work Uniform

Short Sleeve

• Fully buttoned except top collar button, which is left unfastened
• Not worn with ties
• Not worn with turtlenecks

Long Sleeve

• Top button may be left unfastened only when worn with a turtleneck
• Always worn with a tie in the winter Service Uniform
• Sleeves not rolled when public contact is likely

Dress Uniform

The senior manager of the event will determine if and who should wear the uniform dress shirt or a white dress shirt under the dress jacket.

Long Sleeve Service Dress Shirt

Always worn with a tie

White Dress Shirt

• Purchased with personal funds from a retail store, not the uniform website
• 3 to 3 ½” collar points (measured from the attachment at the neck to the point)
• Collar must not be buttoned-down
• Shirt cuffs should extend no more than 1/8” beyond the end of the coat sleeve when standing with arms at sides

Shoes, Socks, and Hosiery

General Guidance for Appropriate Wear

• Brown laces
• Polished cordovan
• Dark welts and stitching
• Free of scuffs and abrasions

Appropriate Shoes, Socks, and Hosiery for Each Uniform Type

Dress Uniform

• Dress shoes/pumps
• Walkers

Service Uniform

• Dress shoes/pumps
• Hiking/Work boots
• Walkers

Field Uniform

• Boat shoes
• Hiking/Work boots
• Walkers

Work Uniform

• Boat shoes
• Hiking/Work boots
• Walkers

Boat Shoes

• May be worn without socks when on a boat
• Well-oiled, if leather

Dress shoes and pumps

• Polished cordovan
• Dress shoes are worn with dress socks and dark brown laces
• Pumps are worn with nylon stockings or hosiery when in conjunction with dress skirt
• Vibram™ soles are not permitted

An example of acceptable hiking boots

Hiking and Work Boots

• A high degree of polishing is not expected except when special circumstances dictate
• Steel-toed work boots are considered personal protective equipment, or PPE, and should be purchased directly by parks if required (please consult your park and regional safety officers)

Walkers

• Polished cordovan
• Worn with dress socks and dark brown laces

An example pair of brown hiking socks

Brown Dress Crew or Hiking Socks

• Not required with shorts
• Not required with boat shoes when on a boat

Hosiery

• All hosiery must be skin-toned
• Must be free of runs, seams, patterns, glitter or any other embellishments
• Must be worn when wearing the dress skirt

Examples of the Four-in-hand and Clip-on ties

Ties and Tie Tack

When to wear

With long-sleeve shirts in the winter service and dress uniforms.

Clip-on Tie

• Worn with tie tack
• Metal clip must not be visible
• Tabs must be under collar wings
• Tip of the tie must be no higher than 1” above the belt buckle and no lower than the middle of the buckle

Four-in-hand Tie

• Worn with tie tack
• Must have a symmetrical, closed knot that is fully snug at the neck with no shirt showing above the knot
• Tip of the tie must be no higher than 1” above the belt buckle and no lower than the middle of the buckle

An example of the NPS uniform Cross Tie

Cross Tie

• Tied with the snap crossing over from the right
• No tie tack

An example of the NPS uniform Tie Tack

Tie Tack

• Worn with clip-on or four-in-hand tie
• Worn attached to the shirt by the tie tack chain
• Worn centered on a line between the pocket flap buttons on shirt

Appendix A: Tying the Hatband

Wrap the hatband around the hat just above the brim so that the USNPS lettering is at the front of the hat, laying the end with the empty ring over the end that the cord is attached to. Loop the free end of the cord through the empty front ring and pull it back to tighten the hatband.

Thread the free end of the cord through the back ring, outside-to-inside.

Thread the cord through the front ring and pull it tight. Be careful not to tighten the hatband so much that the sides of the hat buckle or bulge.

Thread the cord behind the horizontal loop you have created, bottom-to-top. 

Thread the cord behind the horizontal loop again, creating an outer vertical loop. Continue adding vertical loops until there is no more room.

To secure the cord, thread the tail end down through the center of the inner horizontal loop and pull it tight. 

Trim away the excess cord so that the knot appears neat and uniform. 

Appendix B: Uniform Matrix

Item	Service	Field	Work	Summer	Winter	Comments
Accessory, Badge	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Property, issued at the park/office
Accessory, Badge Patch	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	See Wear Standards
Accessory, Belts, NPS Embossed	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	None
Accessory, Insignia, “USNPS”	Yes	Limited	No	Yes	Yes	See Wear Standards
Accessory, Name Bar, Brass	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	See Wear Standards
Accessory, Name Bar, Cloth	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	See Wear Standards
Coat, Dress, Summer	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	Always with a tie
Coat, Dress, Winter	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Always with a tie
Coat, “Ike” Style	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Always with a tie
Coveralls, Insulated	No	Limited	Yes	No	No	Worn temporarily over other uniforms
Coveralls, Uninsulated	No	Limited	Yes	No	No	Worn temporarily over other uniforms