American Legion Eligibility
In February, 1919, four Allied Expeditionary Forces officers-of-the-line informally started the Legion while still on active duty in Paris, France. These founders—Col. Theodore Roosevelt Jr., Lt. Col. George S. White, Maj. Eric Fisher Wood, and Lt. Col. William J. ("Wild Bill") Donovan. They sought both to bolster soldier morale during the post-armistice period and to provide an alternative to other veteran's groups being set up in the United States. The Legion received its incorporation from the U.S. Congress on 16 September 1919.
At the onset of every war or military action since World War I (1914–1918), the Legion has persuaded Congress to amend its incorporation to allow veterans of those conflicts to join the Legion.
If you have served on active duty in the United States Armed Forces during any of the war eras listed below, and have been honorably discharged or are still serving -- you are eligible for membership in The American Legion.
U.S. Merchant Marine eligible only from December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946
Membership is based on the period of service, not the place of service, an individual does not have to be stationed in a combat zone to be eligible. Members may participate in a low-cost life insurance program and may receive discounts on moving expenses, car, hotel and motel rentals, eye-wear, and prescription drugs. American Legion service officers provide free advice and guidance to veterans who need to deal with the department of veterans affairs (VA) about benefits and other issues.
At the onset of every war or military action since World War I (1914–1918), the Legion has persuaded Congress to amend its incorporation to allow veterans of those conflicts to join the Legion.
If you have served on active duty in the United States Armed Forces during any of the war eras listed below, and have been honorably discharged or are still serving -- you are eligible for membership in The American Legion.
- August 2, 1990 to today (Operation Desert Shield/Storm)
- December 20, 1989 to January 31, 1990 (Operation Just Cause - Panama)
- August 24, 1982 to July 31, 1984 (Lebanon/Grenada)
- February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975 (Vietnam)
- June 25, 1950 to January 31, 1955 (Korea)
- December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946 (World War II)
- April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918 (World War I)
U.S. Merchant Marine eligible only from December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946
Membership is based on the period of service, not the place of service, an individual does not have to be stationed in a combat zone to be eligible. Members may participate in a low-cost life insurance program and may receive discounts on moving expenses, car, hotel and motel rentals, eye-wear, and prescription drugs. American Legion service officers provide free advice and guidance to veterans who need to deal with the department of veterans affairs (VA) about benefits and other issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 archives.gov/veterans 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.
All documents used to verify military service can be found on the American Legion Military Service Verification Documents List.
For any other eligibility questions, contact us at wilegionpost173.org or visit these websites for more information: National American Legion Wisconsin American Legion
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 archives.gov/veterans 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.
All documents used to verify military service can be found on the American Legion Military Service Verification Documents List.
For any other eligibility questions, contact us at wilegionpost173.org or visit these websites for more information: National American Legion Wisconsin American Legion