Legion College applications available
Applications for the 2011 American Legion National College are available online. By James V. Carroll

Legion College applications available

The 2011 American Legion National College will take place Oct. 23-28 at the Legion’s National Headquarters in Indianapolis. Applications for the annual organizational leadership program are available here.

Legionnaires who wish to participate in the weeklong program may submit applications directly to their individual departments for consideration. Because departments must submit approved applications to National Headquarters by Aug. 31, interested Legionnaires must contact their departments for the departments’ application deadlines.

The American Legion National College enhances knowledge and appreciation of The American Legion and teaches the core values and contributions of the organization, its Auxiliary, Sons of The American Legion and many subordinate programs. Legion College prepares Legionnaires for leadership positions in posts, districts, counties and departments through education, development and motivation. The curriculum challenges its student leaders to think critically and creatively about issues confronting the Legion.

During the program’s classroom and small group sessions, students will learn the basics of developing communication strategies to promote American Legion programs. These strategies include public outreach, media and community relations, and reaching out to active-duty and Reserve personnel.

The American Legion College began at the 1944 National Convention with Resolution No. 138. It was created to help educate and integrate veterans joining the Legion after World War II. The first Legion College sessions convened at national headquarters in 1946. By 1955, a number of departments were offering their own Legion Colleges. This became the preferred method for training future leaders partly because it offered more education to more Legionnaires through their departments. The national-level Legion College was reinstituted in November 1999 with 34 Legionnaires participating. Legion College continues to be an annual event that educates students in leadership, management and communication.

For more information regarding The American Legion National College, contact Matt Herndon, course developer, at (317) 630-1406.