VETERANS INFO AND EMPLOYMENT
INSTALLATION ACCESS FOR ELIGIBLE VETERANS
On 1 January 2020, DOD opened the doors of commissaries, exchanges and recreational facilities to more than 4.1 million eligible Veterans.
Veterans who are Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war, and all who have any level of service-connected disabilities are now eligible.
Veteran Health Identification Cards (VHIC) are an accepted means of proving a veteran has a service-connected disability and is entitled to installation access.
ORATORICAL CONTEST
The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students. Since 1938, the program has presented participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation’s laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship.
Students compete towards a national prize of a $25,000 scholarship.
SUPPORT OF SCOUTING
The American Legion's support for Boy Scouts of America began at the Legion’s first national convention in 1919.
The American Legion annually honors the Eagle Scout of the Year at the national convention. The winner of the competition receives a $10,000 scholarship, and the three runners-up are each awarded $2,500 scholarships.
JUNIOR SHOOTING SPORTS
The annual 3-Position Junior Air Rifle National Championship is a tournament that begins with postal matches. State and/or regional champions are determined and advance to a qualification round (also a postal match) to determine the athletes who will earn expense-paid trips to compete in the national championship. The national championship is a shoulder-to-shoulder match held each July at the USA Shooting range facilities at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.