MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
REQUIREMENTS TO JOIN THE AMERICAN LEGION
NEW MEMBERSHIP
Click on above logo WHY YOU SHOULD BELONG
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN JOINING OUR POST?
The American Legion, and our post, needs new members to continue our service to veterans, children & youth, and our local communities. So please, contact our Adjutant if you are thinking of joining:
Adjutant Dave Mart
Perry Post Phone = 845-365-4586
Email = johnmperry1044@gmail.com
Process - to apply for first time membership please download and fill out the below membership application. The completed application and copy of military service record (typically your DD214) will be given to the post, and the applicant will then be approved by vote at the next monthly membership meeting.
(Click above link to download a membership application form)
2. How to Obtain Copy of Military Service Record
(Click above link for VA instructions on obtaining a copy of service record)
Membership Dues - membership in the American Legion requires payment of annual dues. The dues provide support to veterans and American Legion activities at the post, county, state and national levels. As of membership year 2020, dues for John M. Perry Post 1044 members is $40. We prefer checks but will [reluctantly] accept cash. Checks should be made out to "John M. Perry Post 1044".
Membership Card - once your membership has been approved, we will mail you a membership card. Each year thereafter we will mail you a new card once you have paid your dues for that year.
Eligibility - is now very simple - If you have served at least one day of active military duty since December 7, 1941 and were honorably discharged or you are still serving active military duty honorably, you are eligible for membership with The American Legion. See below for additional detail regarding Active Duty and National Guard / Reserve personnel.
TRANSFERS
Want to Transfer Into Our Post? If you are a member of another American Legion Post, and would like to transfer into our Post, please contact the Adjutant as indicated above. We'll work with you to fill out, sign and submit to National a Member Data Form. As part of the process we need to see a copy of your service record or current membership card.
Expedited Transfer Process - if your current dues are paid, we will follow the above traditional hard copy submittal process. However, if your current year dues have not been paid, with your payment we can process an on-line submittal for an expedited process.
Active Duty Applicants - because the current eligibility era remains open, all active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible to join The American Legion. This will continue until Congress designates a date for the end of hostilities.
National Guard / Army Reserves - you are eligible to join the American Legion if you served at least one day of federal duty and were honorably discharged or are still serving honorably. Federal duty service would be indicated on the authority line on your activation orders; Title 10, Subsection 672 or 12301 are orders from the Secretary of Defense and are federal orders. Typically a reservist only receives a DD-214 if they served 180 days or more of Title 10 service so other service records may be used to validate eligibility. Remember, all reserve components send their members to basic training using Title 10, Subsection 672/12301 orders. Therefore, with the new service dates above, most candidates who served in the Guard / Reserves are now be eligible for membership.
ANY QUESTIONS? Please contact our Adjutant if you have any questions or would like to begin the process of joining our post.