FAQ's

Select the Membership Page for an application. Or contact someone at an American Legion Post of which there are approximately 15,000 nationwide and 548 in Minnesota (click here for a Google map of Minnesota Posts in a separate tab). The quickest and easiest way to join The American Legion is to click on the membership link and we can transfer you to the Post of your choosing at a later date. And by joining on our web-site you are eligible to receive our gift to you, a copy of "War Stories" vol III.

Our organization was founded on the premise that all those serving in the U.S. Armed Forces during times of national crisis, regardless of place of service, are eligible to belong to The American Legion. Our membership is based on period of service, not place of service. Therefore, if you have served at least one day of active duty since Dec. 7, 1941, and have been honorably discharged, you can become a member.

As a member of The American Legion, you are part of an organization that is advocating to maintain the benefits you so deserve by wearing the uniform to protect the United States of America. The American Legion not only wants to maintain your benefits but we also want to improve our benefits to the concerns of today’s Veteran. You also are a promoter of our four Pillars in which we are founded on, Veteran Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Defense, Americanism, and Children & Youth.

When you join The American Legion you are joining 1.5 million Veterans who have a voice through the National Commander when he Testifies before the Senate Arms Committee annually. The Commanders testimony voices concerns from the Post levels all the way to the National levels that need support of our elected officials.

Also, you may participate in the low cost life insurance program (LIT), as well as many other discounts on moving services, car rentals, hotels, motels, eyewear and prescription drugs. The Legion.org page shows member discounts. Joining The American Legion is rewarding and you can be involved as much as you want to be. Thank you for joining The American Legion!

The American Legion was founded in 1919 as a war-time veterans organization. It was chartered by Congress on this basis. Our membership eligibility dates would parallel conflicts, such as the Vietnam War or the Invasion of Panama, but the Legion Act, signed in July 2019, said the United States has been in a state of conflict since Dec. 7, 1941.

The federal government now recognizes many service members died for their country in the Cold War and other undeclared periods of conflict. Veterans who were honorably discharged but whose service did not fall into the previous war eras now may join The American Legion immediately.

It’s a membership you purchase with a lump sum that makes you a Paid-Up-For-Life Member of The American Legion.

Joining the over 195,000 who’ve already become Paid-Up-For-Life Members assures you of all the benefits of American Legion membership for life, with no additional future payment — no matter how much the cost of your benefits may go up.

You have the option of making payments for one year interest free.

Based on the experiences of many new members, many times over, this is what happens: You join the Legion. You get to know your fellow veterans. You get to know the programs. In a matter of months, you have great ideas and brainstorm ways to serve veterans and their families, right there along with your local veterans community. Your level of involvement is up to you. We have members who live, eat, and breath The American Legion to the member who has chosen to be a card carrier. But, do remember our strength is our membership numbers when we report and testify to our elected officials on Veteran concerns.

The American Legion, at its heart, is a way for you to continue the service you did in the military. You help your community and fellow veterans all while having a good time making difference with people who get you.

Yes. The cost for a one-year subscription is $20. The cost for a two-year subscription is $35. Send a check to:

The Minnesota Legionnaire 20 W. 12th St. Room 300A St. Paul, MN 55155-2000

The National American Legion lists its scholarships on this web page. The Minnesota American Legion lists scholarships on this web page.

American Legion service officers offer free advice and guidance for veterans who need to deal with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). You have options:

1. Check your local Post for a service officer.

2. We have a Department-level service officer with many years of experience whose office is in the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis. His name is Jeremy Wolfsteller. He can be reached at 612-467-3849 or jwolfsteller@mnlegion.org. His assistant, Heather Larson, can be reached at 612-970-5402 or hlarson@mnlegion.org.

3. Visit your local county courthouse for a county veteran service officer. They also can be found on this website.

To obtain a certificate in lieu of a lost or destroyed discharge, a veteran separated under honorable conditions should use Standard Form 180. Persons still in military service should write their branch of service. To obtain a Standard Form 180 to request the records, you may write or call the National Personnel Records Center at:

National Personnel Records Center (Military Personnel Records) 9700 Page Avenue St. Louis, MO 63132-5100 E-mail:center@stlouis.nara.gov Internet:http://www.nara.gov/nara/frc/nprc.html

Phone Numbers: Army – (314) 538-4261 Air Force – (314) 538-4243 Coast Guard, Marines and Navy – (314) 538-4141 Fax:(314) 538-4175

No. If your relative who served on active duty during the membership eligibility dates and is not a member of The American Legion, you may not join either the American Legion Auxiliary or the Sons of The American Legion. However, if the qualifying veteran is deceased you may join the appropriate organization, even if the qualifying veteran was not a member of The American Legion when living.

The American Legion protects the privacy of its members and will not release such information. However, there are certain situations for mail to be forwarded to our members. Legion membership of the requester is required in most cases. A background sheet is available upon request. Please request this via our email.

Copies of Thomas Rumer’s “The American Legion: An Official History 1919 – 1989” are still available at a cost of $16.95 plus $3.95 postage and handling from:

Emblem Sales

The American Legion, PO Box 1050, Indianapolis, IN 46206

Telephone: 317-630-1251

FAX: 317-630-1381

Any request for an American Legion Baseball Rules interpretation is required to be submitted to the state baseball chairman. Neither the National Appeals Board nor the National Americanism Division will consider responding to any interpretation request unless first ruled on by the state baseball chairman. To contact the chairman or the Minnesota Baseball Committee, visit this contact page on the Minnesota American Legion Baseball website.