Who We Are

The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic, mutual-help, war-time veterans organization. A community-service organization which now numbers nearly 3 million members -- men and women -- in nearly 15,000 American Legion Posts worldwide. These posts are organized into 55 departments -- one each for the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico, and the Philippines.

The American Legion's national headquarters is in Indianapolis, Indiana, with additional offices in Washington, DC. In addition to thousands of volunteers serving in leadership and program implementation capacities in local communities to the Legion's standing national commissions and committees, the national organization has a regular full-time staff of about 300 employees.

The history of the American Legion is deeply rooted in service; service to God, Country and community and as an advocate to all active military and veterans who have served this country during a time of war.

Eligibility

If you are on active duty today, serving honorably, anywhere in the world, or have served honorably during any eligible war eras, become a member of The American Legion!

Membership Eligibility Requirements

• April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918 (World War I)
• December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946 (World War II)
• June 25, 1950 to January 31, 1955 (Korean War)
• February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975 (Vietnam War)
• August 24, 1982 to July 31, 1984 (Lebanon/Grenada)
• December 20, 1989 to January 31, 1990 (Panama)
• August 2, 1990 to today (Gulf War/War On Terrorism)