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How do I order a retirement badge?
A new badge reflecting your retired status is the right solution.
If you have come to this article about ordering a retirement badge, the first order of business is our deepest congratulations. Retiring from a career is a momentous occasion and the badge is the iconic symbol of your career in public safety. We understand and respect your desire to have a badge as a retired officer or firefighter in your community.
In this article, we will explain how to order a badge that reflects your retirement. The process is easy and you have options on how to display your badge. We will also explain why we are unable to change the panels or lettering on your current badge, but we can help you with a badge for your retirement.
How do I order a retired badge?
A retirement badge is typically a new badge with a new panel that says "RETIRED" or "RET." You will place your badge order through your dealer. Here are the detailed instructions for ordering a retirement badge:
- Initial Step for All New Retirement Badges:
- Contact the dealer who ordered your original badge. Our dealers are equipped to facilitate your retirement badge order efficiently.
- If you're uncertain about your dealer, contact us directly. Our badge experts are ready to assist, connecting you with your dealer to place your retired badge order.
- For Personalized Badges Designed Using VisualBadge:
- Design Your Retirement Badge using VisualBadge
- On the "WORDS" tab, personalize a panel on your badge to include "RETIRED" or "RET."
- After designing your badge, submit your quote. Your order will then be sent to your dealer for processing.
- For Departments with Full Custom Badges:
- Contact your dealer to order your full custom badge with a small “RETIRED” or RET.” panel. They can provide specific guidance and support tailored to your unique badge requirements.
We always recommend a new badge to reflect your retired officer or firefighter status because changing the panels or the engraved lettering on a badge is not possible, we manufacture our badges for permanence and durability over long careers.
Can I change the panel on my current badge to add “retired” to the badge?
You might be wondering why you can’t change your current rank panel to a retired panel. Panels are applied to the base of your badge with an extremely durable soldering process. This method ensures long-term stability of that panel and attempting to change the panels could potentially damage your badge. Our advice is to purchase a new badge with a “retired” or “ret.” panel rather than attempting to change the applied panels.
Can I change the lettering on my current badge to add “retired” to the badge?
Changing the lettering presents similar challenges. The engraving technique makes a deep cut in the metal and the letters are filled with colored enamel. This ensures that the lettering remains crisp and legible as long as the badge is in service. Once a badge is engraved, we cannot change the lettering.
Can I carry my retirement badge?
Retirement reflects a change from officer to civilian, but while state laws vary, most states allow an officer to carry their retired badge. There is no special authority granted, but after many, many years of carrying a badge, it might feel right out of habit. A nice present for yourself might be a new Dress Leather Wallet to carry your badge in retirement!
At Smith & Warren, we will help you order your retirement badge and put you in touch with your dealer to purchase the badge and any other accessories to honor this career milestone. Thank you for your service to your community and department. We extend our best wishes to you as a retired officer or firefighter.