National Park Service Uniform Applications

Abstract

This research explored the role of National Park Service uniforms in society. The aim is to better understand the wearers’ experiences and their social cognitive processes of the NPS ranger uniform. Further, this study relied upon the human lived experiences of NPS rangers and closely examined the role of women in the NPS historically through present. The purpose of this research was to develop recommendations for the process of uniform design that are grounded in the history of the NPS, with an understanding of current rangers’ social cognitive experiences, and focus on women as a historically underrepresented group in the NPS. Data were collected using an interdisciplinary multi-method approach and used archival object-based analysis, ethnographical research, and quantitative and qualitative measures to assess fit satisfaction.