Membership 

"Still Serving America" is the motto of The American Legion . Veterans who continue their service to America by still serving their communities. Veterans whose involvement in the community creates and supports the feeling of camaraderie which makes The American Legion the nation's largest and the most respected organization of wartime veterans. It's a program that can have a positive influence in the lives of you and your family. It's a program of promise!

 

As a Legion member, you will open an unending catalog of opportunities to expand your life and utilize your unique talents. To learn more visit our Programs page

Member Benefits:
As a member, you are eligible for discounts on insurance, hotels, computers and more. Visit our Member Benefits page to learn more.

Qualifications for Membership:
If you can certify that you served at least one day of federal active military duty during the periods noted below, and was honorably discharged or are still serving honorably, you qualify.

How to Join:

To join The American Legion, Headquarters Post 178, click on the JOIN button below or 

Download an application , complete it and mail it to the Department of Maine address below, or take it to a post in your neighborhood. 

Click on the RENEW button below to renew your membership. 

American Legion multiyear membership is here Eliminate the yearly hassle of remembering to renew your American Legion membership by taking advantage of the new multiyear membership...

MyLegion.org Training Videos, Resources, and more!
 

 

MyLegion.org Step-By-Step Instructions for Account
Registration, Membership Processing,
Group Permissions & More!
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MyLegion Video Training Series
A Complete Overview of MyLegion.org (PDF format)

Note: The last Tuesday of each month American Legion National Headquarters staff will present 60 to 90-minute sessions on topics aimed at post commanders and adjutants. Each session will be recorded and made available for later viewing. Please visit Training Tuesdays  for the next scheduled training session.  

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Eligibility Information
If you have served federal active duty in the United States Armed Forces since December 7, 1941, and have been honorably discharged or are still serving - you are eligible for membership in The American Legion!

*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.

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

Eligibility Questions
What are the eligibility dates for membership in The American Legion?
Thanks to the LEGION Act (Let Everyone Get Involved In Opportunities for National Service Act), Congress expanded the current eligibility period to cover Dec. 7, 1941, to the present, and includes the current war campaigns. Previously, there were seven declared war periods. Now there are two, the current war period dating back to World War II and another war era covering World War I. No other restrictions to American Legion membership changed.

I'm currently on active duty. Am I eligible?
Yes, you are a veteran. All current active duty military are eligible for membership.

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 qualifying period, you are eligible for membership.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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-60s all basic training and occupational training schools were considered federal active duty service.

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

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.

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.

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 the final determination.

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.

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Department of Maine Capsule History
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