MEMBER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

AM I ELIGIBLE TO JOIN?

Women/Men are eligible for membership in the Auxiliary if they are themselves a veteran who served honorably or if they fall into one of the following categories:

• spouse

• mother

• sister

• daughter

• granddaughter

• great-granddaughter

• grandmother

• great grandmother

of an active duty servicemember or veteran who served honorably during any of the eligible war eras listed in the table at right.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

1. A person eligible for membership through a veteran who, now deceased, was not a member of The American Legion must submit the veteran’s DD214 record with her application to verify eligibility.

2. If a request for membership is based on a family member who is living, that person must be a member of The American Legion.

3. A woman veteran may join the American Legion Auxiliary without being a member of The American Legion if her dates of service fall within at least one of the categories above. If, however, her family members wish to join the Auxiliary or the Sons of The American Legion through her service, she must first become a member of The American Legion.

ELIGIBILITY DATES

– World War I April 6, 1917, to Nov. 11, 1918
– World War II Dec. 7, 1941, to Dec. 31, 1946
– U.S. Merchant Marines Dec. 7, 1941, to Dec. 31, 1946
– Korean War June 25, 1950, to Jan. 31,1955
– Vietnam War Feb. 28, 1961, to May 7, 1975
– Lebanon/Grenada Aug. 24, 1982, to July 31, 1984
– Panama Dec. 20, 1989, to Jan. 31, 1990
– Desert Shield/Storm/War on Terror Aug. 2, 1990, to date of cessation*

** NOTE AS OF 07/30/2019 - President Donald Trump has signed the LEGION act. 

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"The LEGION Act - Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service Act — also redefines The American Legion’s membership eligibility dates. The eligibility now span from Dec. 7, 1941, until a time when the U.S. is no longer at war, as determined by Congress."