To be eligible for The American Legion, a man or woman must have served at least one day of active duty in one of the armed forces of the United States during one of the following eligibility eras.

They are:

• World War I - April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918
• World War II - December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946
• SPECIAL NOTE - Merchant Marines - December 7, 1941 to August 15, 1945
• Korea - June 25, 1950 to January 31, 1955
• Vietnam - February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975
• Lebanon & Grenada - August 24, 1982 to July 31, 1984
• Panama - December 20, 1989 to January 31, 1990
• Persian Gulf - August 2, 1990 until cessation of hostilities as determined by the United States Government (NOTE: this means that all military personnel now on active duty are eligible for membership in The American Legion).

Current and past members of the National Guard and Reserve may also be eligible for membership and should check with the Adjutant of the Post in their local community. Annual summer camps and weekend drills do not constitute eligible periods of service. Active duty is the key to Legion membership. A person need not have served overseas to be eligible, but must possess an Honorable Discharge (DD Fm 214).