Do you want to make a difference in your community?

The Indiana Legion is committed to providing continued service to fellow veterans, their
families and communities because, “We Change Lives.” Here’s how:

VETERANS:
• Free VA Claims processing and advocacy, $85 million paid to Hoosier vets last year alone
• Comfort items donated to wounded, injured or ill veterans across the nation...

FAMILIES:
• Emergency grants and funds provided to veterans and their families…
• Thousands given in scholarships to Indiana high school students every year...
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COMMUNITIES:
• Hoosier Boys State redirects young lives and encourages public service to young men...
• American values taught through in-school education programs... AND SO MUCH MORE!

Service to Veterans, Families and Communities

Founded in 1919 on Four Pillars​

For a comprehensive guide to what the American Legion is founded on

Veteran's Affairs & Rehabilitation

Our Service Officers work closely with VA to ensure quick, efficient and accurate claims and benefits processing. The American Legion continues to aggressively lobby for adequate funding of VA health care, timely access to facilities, fair rulings on benefit claims, and economic opportunities for those who have come home changed by their military experiences. ​

Americanism

As an organization dedicated to God and country, with a membership of military veterans that takes deep pride in the U.S. flag and all it means, The American Legion has always been a stalwart champion of patriotism, morality & citizenship. The Legion is devoted to law & order, the raising of wholesome youth, respectful observance of patriotic holidays and remembrances, education and law-abiding citizenship.​

National Security

The American Legion closely monitors issues that are most relevant to our nation’s vital security interests. The American Legion works closely with each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces in an effort to stay well informed about issues that affect our troops and our military families. As such, The American Legion continues to make troop strength and military quality of life a top priority.​

Children & Youth

We strive to strengthen the family unit, to support quality organizations that provide services for children and youth, and to provide communities with well-rounded programs that meet the physical, educational, emotional and spiritual needs of young people. ​The commission works to provide hope for children who face health, safety, discipline or home-life challenges, and provides opportunities for young people to succeed.

 Eligibility
The American Legion, Department of Indiana is the largest veteran service organization in the state and nation, whose members are U.S. military wartime veterans and spent at least one day of U.S. military active duty service on Title 10 (federal orders) during the following outlined wartime era service dates. 

If you have served federal active duty in the United States Armed Forces anytime since December 7, 1941, and have been honorably discharged or are still serving - you are eligible for membership in The American Legion!

*Because eligibility dates remain open, all active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible to join The American Legion at this time, until the date of the end of hostilities as determined by the government of the United States.

**U.S. Merchant Marine eligible only from December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946 (WWII).

The proof of eligibility must be provided to The American Legion, Department of Indiana in the form of a DD-214 or similar military paperwork. The separation paperwork must show at least one of the active duty periods listed above and the veteran must be honorably discharged or separated with a general under honorable conditions.

Reserve Component, National Guard and Reserves service DOES qualify for membership.. ​
To qualify for membership, Reserve Component service members must have been activated in support of a federal overseas deployment, contingency operation or Title-10 (Federal) Orders for at least one day during the active duty periods listed above. This can be stateside or overseas, as long as the orders are federal active duty. 

State active duty, annual training or Title-32 (State orders) active duty orders do not apply toward membership eligibility.

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A DD-214 or any other form of discharge paperwork, fill out the Standard Form 180 and request your records from the National Archives online CLICK HERE
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