Does Zinke Wear the NPS Flat hat Wrong?
Secretary Ryan Zinke is often seen wearing the National Park Service’s (NPS) iconic Smokey the Bear flat hat. However, as with any piece of official attire, there is a strict protocol for donning the hat. While many people have speculated as to whether Zinke wears it wrong, a closer look reveals that he does, in fact, not obey the protocol and wears the hat in a more informal manner.
The proper way to wear the NPS flat hat is a matter of common knowledge among park rangers and staff. It is supposed to be worn outdoors, never indoors, and needs to be kept at a precise angle. Known as the Salute Angle, it entails having the bill of the hat parallel with the ground and the brim at a forty-five degree angle from the bill. Furthermore, the brim should remain stiff at all times – it is not to be curled or visibly wrinkled when viewed from the front.
Zinke, however, has been repeatedly photographed wearing the NPS flat and seemingly violating all the calls. He has been witnessed wearing it indoors, on numerous occasions, and slouching the brim in an informal manner. While this could be a simple case of forgetting a standard of protocol, it has raised the question of whether this behavior is acceptable.
Experts have tried to provide some insight into why this has become an issue. According to a senior NPS official, when such a senior figure bends the rule, many other people who work for the service feel like it is appropriate for them to do the same. This has the effect of blurring the lines between who is an actual employee and who is not – potentially leading to confusion for visitors and decreased respect and adherence to dress code norms for NPS personnel.
Still, others have argued that because Zinke is an appointed, rather than elected figure, he should not be held to the same standards. They point to the fact that his role is much different than the plethora of park service employees who are represented by the same hat. While this view may be well-intended, the norms within the NPS should not be any different for the Secretary than they are for any other employee.
Nationally, it appears that the general opinion is that Zinke should behave in a professional manner and adhere to the policies of the National Park Service. While the issue may seem insignificant, it has become a point of contention and raised questions of whether someone of such a senior position should be acting with greater decorum towards the regulation.
How Should the NPS Handle this Situation?
The situation has left many people in the NPS uncomfortable. For a service that is known for its conservation of nature, it is important that the behavior of its leader reflects upon these same values. It is emblematic of a larger question of whether Secretary Zinke truly understands and respects the role of the National Park Service and the value of its traditions.
Still, this raises the question of what the NPS can do to confront such behavior. While it may seem like a clear cut issue and one of public relations, the problem is more complex than it seems. For one, the NPS is an agency which answers to, and is heavily influenced by, the Secretary. Therefore, it stands to reason that Zinke himself cannot be put on the defensive. Instead, consequences must be decided in honest and open dialogue at the top levels of the agency, not by the personnel themselves.
At the same time, it is necessary to recognize the value of tradition for the NPS and to ensure that everyone involved is aware of its importance. There is a danger of losing sight of the common identity that the NPS hat represents and by extension, the values of the service. It is therefore necessary to ensure that everyone is in alignment with the protocol and that steps are taken to preserve this identity.
Ultimately, the NPS must put safety and uniformity at the forefront of their decision-making process. This means that all personnel, including the Secretary must be treated the same and held to the same standards. Doing so will further the respect for an agency that is the pride of the American people.
The Arguments for and Against Zinke
Given the seriousness and complexity of the issue, arguments have arisen from both sides of the debate. Supporters of the Secretary note that he may simply have made a mistake or misunderstood a given directive. Furthermore, they argue that is it only natural that there will be growing pains with a new administration, and that there may have been other important items on the Secretary’s agenda.
At the same time, it is necessary to take into view any other matters of similar nature that have arisen during Secretary Zinke’s tenure. There have been questions raised about the funding of his office and how it has been used since his hiring. Supporters of the National Park Service argue that these issues have painted the service in a negative light and show a disregard of protocol that should not be tolerated. To them, reprimanding the Secretary would be fully warranted.
Additionally, outside observers have pointed to the fact that the discussion is, at its core, about respect. How Zinke wears – and more importantly displays – respect towards the service is a reflection of his values and principles. To many, there is the fear that he may not share the same values as those of the staff and that he may simply be smiling for the cameras.
The case of Secretary Zinke and the NPS flat hat is a complicated one and has raised numerous points of discussion. Ultimately, the issue should be seen as an opportunity for learning and teaching, and used as a chance to set a precedent of following the same code of conduct regardless of title or profession.
The Reactions of Employees and the Public
From the start, employees within the service have been vocal about their opinions on Secretary Zinke and his behavior. Notably, they have been split among those who are for and against his hatted donning, with each side having strong points to make. This is thought to be only natural given the current political environment and the general sentiment of dissent that exists in the NPS.
At the same time, the public has also weighed in on the issue. Reaction was initially mixed, but it has since become overwhelmingly against Zinke and in favor of upholding the NPS protocols. This is seen as an important development, as it underscores a strong sentiment in favor of respect and dress code – one that should be emulated by everyone, regardless of their role in the organization.
Still, the issue of respect has been a major talking point. The vast majority agrees that the Secretary should be held to the same standard as any other employee. Furthermore, there is a fear of a slippery slope if he is not reprimanded – the idea that it may signal a chance for further transgressions and setting a precedent of contempt for the protocol.
At the same time, however, it is also important to note that there have been those who have asked for the Secretary to be cut some slack. This could easily be seen as a valid argument given the fact that this is his first office and there are many things to get used to. However, it is important to note that this may still be considered unacceptable and should be followed up on with an appropriate response.
Political Implications
The issue of Secretary Zinke’s attitude towards the NPS’s dress code brings into question the integrity of the current administration’s policies and politics. Many have been concerned for some time on what the relationship between the government and the park service is, and this has only intensified the tension.
The public has largely been disappointed in the President’s changes to the National Monument designations and the cuts in funding and staffing. With the Secretary not adhering to the dress code of the service, it has only strengthened the idea that the relationship between the two is strained. This has reached the point where many are questioning the legitimacy of the administration’s policies.
Similarly, this debate has become a platform for discussing the implications of professional respect. It has raised the questions of how far lenience should go and how much importance should be placed on maintaining a professional environment. For the NPS, it raises the question of whether Zinke is truly dedicated to preserving the values and traditions of the service or whether he is simply outwardly displaying a respect that does not really exist.
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