ARE YOU ELIGIBLE?

The American Legion

Eligibility requirements

The Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service (LEGION) Act, signed into law in July 2019, significantly expanded membership eligibility for The American Legion. Prior to this legislation, membership was limited to veterans who served during specific periods officially recognized as wartime by the U.S. government. However, many service members participated in military operations that occurred between these designated periods, resulting in over 1,600 combat-related casualties during times not previously acknowledged as wartime. ​

The enactment of the LEGION Act addressed this oversight by extending the recognized wartime era back to December 7, 1941, thereby allowing all honorably discharged veterans who served since that date to join The American Legion. This change honors the service and sacrifices of those who served during previously unrecognized periods and grants them access to the programs and benefits offered by the organization.

1. If you have served at least one day of active military duty since December 7, 1941 and were honorably discharged or you are still serving active military duty honorably, you are eligible for membership with The American Legion.

The American Legion Auxiliary

Eligibility requirements

1. Grandmothers, mothers, sisters, spouses (including husbands and widows/widowers), and direct or adopted descendants, regardless of gender, of veterans who are members of The American Legion.
2. Grandmothers, mothers, sisters, spouses (including husbands and widows/widowers), and direct or adopted descendants of deceased or honorably discharged U.S. military service members who served on active duty:
   • Between April 6, 1917 – November 11, 1918 (World War I), or
   • December 7, 1941 – Present (covering World War II and all conflicts since),
     and who were U.S. citizens at the time of their service.
3. Individuals (including women) who are themselves eligible for membership in The American Legion.*

*Note: A person eligible for American Legion membership may join the Auxiliary regardless of whether they are a current Legion member. However, for their relatives or spouse to be eligible for Auxiliary membership, the veteran must be a member of The American Legion.

Sons of The American Legion

Eligibility requirements

1. All male descendants adopted sons, and stepsons of members of The American Legion, and such male descendants of veterans who died in service during the period of April 6, 1917, through November 11, 1918, or any time from December 7, 1941, to date, who served honorably, as set forth in Article IV, Section 1, of the National Constitution of The American Legion, or who died subsequent to their honorable discharge from such service, shall be eligible for membership in the Sons of The American Legion. 

American Legion Riders

Eligibility requirements

1. Members must hold membership in and be in good standing with The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of The American Legion.
2. Members must be legally registered motorcycle owners or be the legally registered owner’s spouse within the state of registration.
3. All operators must be properly licensed and insured per state laws.
4. All members must obey motor-vehicle laws in the state in which they are operating a motorcycle or riding as a passenger.

Information on a veteran’s service record can be obtained by contacting: National Archives and Records Administration Telephone: 1-866-272-6272 www.archives.gov