Membership Eligibility

To be eligible for membership in The American Legion, you must have served at least one day of federal active duty in the United States Armed Forces since December 7, 1941 and was honorably discharged or are still serving honorably.

Because eligibility dates remain open, all active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible to join The American Legion at this time, until the date of the end of hostilities as determined by the government of the United States.

Merchant Marine: U.S. Merchant Marines are only eligible from December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946 (WWII).

Eligibility Questions

Are you eligible?
Here are a few frequently asked questions regarding American Legion eligibility. For any other eligibility questions, feel free to contact us.

Q: I’m currently on Active Duty. Am I eligible?
Yes, you are a veteran. The current eligibility period from is from August, 1990 – Present, and includes the current war campaigns. All current active duty military are eligible for membership.

Q: I didn’t retire from the military, but was on active duty during one of the qualifying time periods. Am I eligible?
Yes, you are a veteran. As long as you have served at least one day of federal active duty during any of the qualifying periods, you are eligible for membership.

Q: I served during one of the qualifying periods, but was never in a combat zone. Am I eligible?
Yes, you are a veteran. Location of active duty service is not a consideration for membership.

Q: I’m currently in the National Guard/Reserve. My unit was activated under Title 10 orders during a qualifying time period. Am I eligible?
Yes, you are a veteran. Title 10 orders are issued by the Secretary of Defense and therefore are federal orders.

Q: My National Guard unit was activated for crowd control under Title 32 orders during one of the qualifying periods. Am I eligible?
No. Title 32 orders are issued under a governor’s authority, whereas Title 10 orders are issued from the Secretary of Defense.

Q: I’m currently a cadet at one of the U.S. Military Academies. Am I eligible?
Yes, you are a veteran. The American Legion has considered service in the military academies as eligible for membership since WWI.

Q: Can I be an honorary or social member of The American Legion?
No Per National Constitution and By-laws, no form or class of membership is authorized except regular active or paid up for life.

Q: I served my entire military career in the National Guard/Reserves, and only have a DD214 from my Active Duty for Training that I was in during one of the qualifying dates. Am I eligible?
Yes, you are a veteran. In the mid-60’s all basic training and occupational training schools were considered federal active duty service.

Q: I served active duty as a SPAR, WAC, WASP, or WAVES during the one of the qualifying periods. Am I eligible?
Yes, you are a veteran. Even though women served separately than men, their service is equal.

Q: I served with allied military forces during one of the qualifying periods. Am I eligible?
Yes, you are a veteran, only if you were a U.S. citizen at the time of entry.

Q: I served with the Civil Air Patrol/Civilian Technical Corps/USPHS as a civilian during two qualifying periods. Am I eligible?
No Eligible members must have federal military service during a qualifying period and received an honorable discharge or discharge under honorable conditions.

Q: I enlisted and went to basic training, but received an uncharacterized discharge due to a medical condition. Am I eligible?
Yes, you are a veteran. Uncharacterized discharges for medical discharges are assumed to be under honorable conditions unless specifically stated otherwise. There are other categories of uncharacterized discharges and before they are determined eligible for membership the discharge should be sent to National for determination and a record will be maintained at National on final determination.

Q: I’m eligible for The American Legion, but do not have a copy of my DD214 to show as proof of eligibility. How can I get one?
You can go to veterans' archives to request another copy of your discharge papers. A copy of orders putting you on federal active duty can be used as proof of eligibility as well.