All of the other cloth badges are based on the 1970 ranger badge and, with the exception of the one issued in 1991, were unofficial and made primarily for the use of law enforcement rangers. Initially these were designed and issued by some parks and regions "to provide a non reflective badge to be worn, for officer survival reasons, on the SET camouflage uniform during high risk tactical operations". These were worn for identification on the flight suits and tactical vests used by rangers in performing their duties when apprehending drug (primarily marijuana) and poaching violators.

The first one of these cloth badges was issued in the Western Region for it's Park Ranger Special Events. Apparently it was only used for one season and just in the Western Region. It consists of a medium gray gabardine shield measuring 2-1/2" x 3-0" with the design of the present gold badge outlined in yellow. The background of the buffalo seal is worked in an iridescent copper color.

1983 WESTERN REGION Made for park ranger Special Events Teams (SETS). Only used for one season Description: gray gabardine shield with design of badge outlined in yellow; background of buffalo seal, iridescent copper Size: 2-1/2" wide x 3-0" high

The next cloth badge was supplied in 1984 by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) at Glynco, Georgia. It was distributed throughout the Service to the law enforcement elements in the regions for their vests. It was issued in conjunction with a large patch for the back of the vest which stated "U.S. RANGER FEDERAL OFFICER". This combination was in use until supplanted by the official 1991 cloth badge. This badge also measures 2-1/2" x 3-0". However the shield is a golden yellow with the design of the 1970 badge outlined in black. In addition, the circle of the buffalo seal is white with the seal itself embroidered in a variety of colors, (turquoise, brown, green, red and yellow). This badge was the out-growth of a program started the year before when the graduating class was given green jackets with this combination of emblems silk-screened on them.

1984-1991 FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING CENTER (FLETC) This cloth badge was worn on a vest, in conjunction with a large patch on the back which stated "U.S. RANGER/FEDERAL OFFICER" Description: golden yellow gabardine shield with design of badge outlined in black: USDI seal embroidered in variety of colors Size: 2-1/2" wide x 3-0" high

The next two cloth badges were utilized at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in 1990. The two are identical except one says "PARK RANGER" and the other "INVESTIGATOR". They were worn on the camouflage clothing utilized by the law enforcement rangers while conducting various types of woodland surveillance or posing as hunters while performing wildlife protection assignments. Their purpose was to make the ranger as inconspicuous as possible. Unfortunately, the rangers were too inconspicuous resulting in some of the perpetrators pleading they didn't recognize the rangers as being officials and being released by the courts. Consequently the badges were discontinued. The shield is forest green with the design of the 1970 badge stitched in black. They measure 2-1/2" x 2-7/8".

1990 U.S. PARK RANGER DELAWARE WATER GAP NATIONAL RECREATION AREA Worn on camouflage clothing while conducting wood land surveillance or wildlife protection duties Description: forest green gabardine shield with outline of badge in black Size: 2-1/2" wide x 2-7/8" high

1990 NPS INVESTIGATOR DELAWARE WATER GAP NATIONAL RECREATION AREA Worn on camouflage clothing while conducting woodland surveillance or wildlife protection duties Description: forest green gabardine shield with outline of badge in black Size: 2-1/2" wide x 2-7/8" high

The latest cloth badge, or "BADGE PATCH", as it is called, was authorized in 1991. The general statement, prepared by John Townsend, in the 1990 uniform committee recommendations regarding situations in which this badge patch should be worn best defines its use: "The badge patch is to be worn on special purpose outerwear not normally part of the uniform where identification of the wearer as an NPS employee is essential to the performance of the employee's mission and where the employee would wear a regular gold badge if dressed in a standard uniform." This badge patch has the design of the current badge outlined in forest green thread on a 2-5/8" x 3-1/8" shield of golden yellow. Specific applications for this badge are "raid" vests, snow machine suits, flight suits, survival suits, and tactical vests.

1991 - PRESENT NATIONAL PARK RANGER BADGE-PATCH First Bureau sanctioned cloth badge to be worn by Law Enforcement rangers Description: golden yellow shield with badge outlined in dark green Size: 1-5/8" wide x 3-1/8" high

This is the official Badge Patch, but as with most patches, small variations often appear between manufacturers and parks add to the mix by occasionally making minor alterations of their own, creating mutations too numerous to treat in detail here. Colors range from lemon yellow to a rich gold; borders are different shades and even colors; and shield details stitched in black instead of green contribute to the potpourri, along with some, no doubt, contrived to feed the collector market.