Joining the Son's of the American Legion

If you meet the eligibility requirements for membership in the Sons of The American Legion, we'd love to have you join our ranks! Contact The American Legion Post nearest you to see if a Squadron of the Sons has been organized at that Post. If not, an officer of that Post should be able to tell you where to find the nearest S.A.L. Squadron. You can also contact The S.A.L. National Headquarters to find the location of a Sons Squadron near you. 

You should be able to get an official S.A.L. Membership Application from just about any American Legion Post in the country. 

Thanks for stopping by today! We're confident you will enjoy becoming a member of The American Legion Family, this nation's largest organization dedicated to supporting veterans of the armed services of the United States of America! 

 Not everyone is eligible to become a member of the Sons of The American Legion. There are specific membership requirements. 

 To be eligible, you must be a male descendant (includes stepsons and adopted sons) of a member of The American Legion. 

 You would also be eligible to join the Sons of The American Legion if you are the male descendant (stepsons and adopted sons included) of a veteran who died in service during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, or the Persian Gulf War

 You would also be eligible to join the Sons of The American Legion if you are the male descendant (stepsons and adopted sons included) of a veteran who died subsequent to his or her honorable discharge from service in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, or the Persian Gulf War

 Contact the Sons of The American Legion Squadron nearest you to obtain the necessary membership application form. Membership forms for the Sons of The American Legion should be available at any American Legion Post. Contact the Post nearest you and ask if a Squadron of the Sons exists in your area. If there is no Squadron in your area, contact The S.A.L. National Headquarters and ask about membership in the Sons of The American Legion. It's also possible to organize a new S.A.L. Squadron. Click here to see information on starting a new Squadron.

Active Duty Service Eligibility Dates
for Membership in The American Legion
(note: potential S.A.L. members should use these dates to determine if their parents or grandparents are/were eligible for membership in The American Legion)

World War I - April 6, 1917 - November 11, 1918
World War II - December 7, 1941 - December 31, 1946
Korean War - June 25, 1950 - January 31, 1955
Vietnam Era - February 28, 1961 - May 7, 1975
Lebanon/Grenada - August 24, 1982 - July 31, 1984
Panama - December 20, 1989 - January 31, 1990
Persian Gulf - August 2, 1990 - (this eligibility period remains open)

Starting a new Squadron

The two most important things to consider as you prepare to start a new Sons of The American Legion Squadron are: research and planning. It is essential that you know as much as possible about the community before establishing a new Squadron. Community size, Legion Post history, annual events and activities are all part of the planning process. 

The first step in starting a new S.A.L. Squadron is the establishment of a Post S.A.L. Committee, usually consisting of three to five Legion members, appointed by the Post Commander. A Committee Chairman should be selected to provide leadership and to assign tasks to Committee members. This Committee is responsible for recruiting S.A.L. members, organizing the Squadron and conducting S.A.L. Squadron activities with the sponsoring Post. The Committee should establish a plan of action, including a calendar of activities which allows you to set goals, such as recruiting 20 members in 20 days. 

The second step in the process is to request an Application for Squadron Charter from Department Headquarters. Department Headquarters will furnish individual application blanks and applications for charter on request from any American Legion Post in the Department. There is only one form of charter, and there is no fee charged in connection with its issuance. A Post cannot sponsor more than one Squadron of the Sons of The American Legion. Both internal and external communications are necessary when developing a new Squadron. Internal communications should be maintained with the officers of the sponsoring Post. It is important that your external audience also remains informed. Keep all members of your Legion Post, as well as surrounding Posts that lack S.A.L. Squadrons, notified of your progress and activities. They can assist by letting others know a new Squadron is being established and help with the referral process. 

Recruiting Members

The first step in a successful recruiting campaign is to develop a list of eligible individuals using the Post Membership Roster. A letter of invitation should be sent to every Post member asking their sons and grandsons to become members of the new S.A.L. Squadron. Included with each letter should be a S.A.L. Brochure and Membership Application. Follow up phone calls can be made to those who did not respond to the letter. Signed membership applications and dues should be collected from those who wish to join. 

Completing the Process

Once you've received applications and dues for ten members, its time to complete and submit the Application for Squadron Charter. The Post Commander signs the application signifying the Post's endorsement of the application. The signed Charter Application along with ten SAL. membership applications and a check for the amount of National and Detachment dues are all transmitted to Department Headquarters. 

Once Department Headquarters approves the Charter Application, it is sent to National Headquarters which issues the new Squadron's Charter and mails it to the Post Commander or Post S.A.L. Chairman.

Organizational Meeting

Following the submission of the Charter Application, an organizational meeting should be held for the members of the new Squadron. Several important tasks need to be accomplished during this meeting. First and foremost is the adoption of a Squadron Constitution and By-Laws. A suggested form for a Squadron Constitution and By-Laws is included in the S.A.L. Handbook. The election of Squadron officers, adoption of a meeting schedule (day, time and place) and presentation of a calendar of events will complete the agenda for this meeting. In addition, S.A.L. Squadron Handbooks should be distributed to each member present at the meeting. 

Initiation Meeting

Once the Squadron charter has been issued and received, an initiation meeting should be held. New members admitted into the Sons of The American Legion should be initiated with full ceremony. First impressions are the most lasting impressions. An S.A.L. uniform cap, Squadron Membership Card and embroidered emblem patch should be presented to each member as part of the initiation ceremony. 

Arrangements should be made to have an American Legion Department Officer or S.A.L. Detachment Officer formally present the new Squadron's Charter. The visiting Legion or S.A.L. member should make a narrative presentation on the history of the S.A.L. and it's program of service. 

Membership Benefits

 Perhaps the biggest benefit one receives as a member of the Sons is the satisfaction of knowing you are helping others in your community and elsewhere. However, there are also some tangible benefits available through commercial vendors. Sons are eligible for almost all of the same discounts that are available to members of The American Legion. Just click here to look at a list of many consumer benefits available to members of The Legion Family. 
 
  Membership Recruitment Award

 Your National Membership Committee is pleased to offer you a National Recruitment Awards. Just meet the following requirements:

Blue Brigade Award

Recruit thirty (30) new members into the S.A.L. (NO RENEWALS OR REINSTATEMENTS) and join the Blue Brigade.
Get the National Recruitment Award Form
Type or clearly print all required information. Non-readable forms will not be processed.
No abbreviations.  Spell out all names, cities and street names.
The new members record card must be received at your Detachment and at National Headquarters.
The form must be postmarked prior to midnight May 1, 2004.  Late submissions will not be processed.
Only one (1) award pin per member regardless of the total of new members recruited.

2004 Individual Recruitment Award 2004

The National Membership Committee offers a recruitment pin award for those members recruiting seven (7) new members into the Sons of The American Legion within a membership year. This pin is suitable to wear upon your cover or lapel. You must meet and complete the requirements listed below.

Recruit seven (7) new members into the S.A.L., no renewals
All information must be clearly printed or typed. Non-readable forms will not be processed
The new members membership record must be received at the Detachment and National Headquarters
This form must be postmarked prior to midnight of August 31, 2004
Only one (1) award pin per member regardless of the total new members recruited
American Legion Family members are also eligible for this award 
No Abbreviations. Information must be spelled out and complete
Get the Individual Recruitment Award Form