MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
REQUIREMENTS TO JOIN THE AMERICAN LEGION
IMPORTANT: EVERYONE MUST SUBMIT A COPY OF
DD 214 OR DISCHARGE.
NEW MEMBERSHIP
Click on above logo WHY YOU SHOULD BELONG
Eligible veterans applying for first time membership must submit the following information to Post Membership Chairman, Mary Jo Burkhard:
1. Complete American Legion Membership application by clicking on "APPLICATION" button.
Print two (2) completed copies. Keep one copy for your records. Mail the other copy to above address: Frederick Dempsey Post 266, 240 Drummond Ave., Neptune, NJ 07753, together with your dues payment. (Dues amount on application). Applications are also available at the Post.)
(Click this link for DD214 Discharge Application)
3. Membership Dues is currently $40. (Amount Shown on Application). Make check or money order payable to: American Legion Post 266 listed above. DO NOT SEND CASH.
4. If the information is correct, membership will be approved and then you will be invited to your Installation, a membership card and new member packet will be given to you.
5. Please see eligibility dates below.
TRANSFERS
Veterans applying for transfers from your current Post to our Post must submit the following:
a. Completed Member Data Form.
b. COPY OF DD214 OR DISCHARGE
c. COPY OF MEMBERSHIP CARD
6. Membership dues payment, if current year dues are not paid, please pay dues for that year. If current dues are paid, no action needed.
ELIGIBILITY DATES
MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILTY in the American Legion is based on honorable service with the U. S. Armed Forces between:
Resolutions call on Congress to recognize armed hostilities where military personnel were deployed as a period of war.
Membership eligibility in The American Legion is determined by Congress through the establishment of specific dates of declared hostilities in which U.S. military personnel were activated. Since its founding in 1919, membership in The American Legion has been open to veterans of World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Lebanon / Grenada, Panama and Gulf War / War on Terrorism.
There are at least 12 known combat operations that required an activated military personnel, such as the Cold War, Libyan Conflict and Persian Gulf Conflicts and resulted in about 1,600 U.S. military men and women casualities. However, because these operations are unrecognized by the U.S. government as a period of war, those who served during these timeframes are not eligible for membership in The American Legion.
The American Legion's National Executive Committee passed a resolution during its annual Fall meeting in Indianapolis on Oct. 17 to change that. Resolution No. 1. "Unrecognized armed hostilities recognition," calls on Congress to declare that the United States has been continuously engaged in a state of war from December 7, 1941 to present, and for Congress to direct the Department of Veteran Affairs to qualify a wartime veteran as any military service personnel who served honorably under Title 10 for at least one day from December 7, 1941 to present.
Following the passing of Resolution No. 1, the NEC adopted Resolution No. 2, "Unrecognized armed hostilities membership date change," which will change membership dates for The American Legion. This resolution will only be put in motion once the actions of Resolution No. 1 are approved by Congress. Once approved, membership in The American Legion will be open to the following war periods: April 6, 1917 to Nov. 11, 1918, and Dec. 7, 1941 to the date of cessation of armed hostilities as determined by the U.S. government.
The American Legion believes that membership in the organization should be extended to all U.S. military personnel who served on active duty during the hostile events that are not seen as a period of war.
Must have served at least one day of active military duty and honorably discharged or still serving honorably. :
For any questions please contact our membership chairman, or stop at the Post.
Click on the gold star "Application" menu button for an online application form.