Recruit and retain to earn these membership incentives.
For more information on the following membership incentives, download The American Legion’s National Membership Awards Points Manual.
NATIONAL COMMANDER
American Legion National Commander Dan K. Wiley will award his national commander Be the One membership incentive pin to any Legionnaire who obtains two new members into The American Legion. A new member is any eligible person joining for the 2026 membership year who was not a member of The American Legion during the 2025 membership year. Transfers do not count as new members. Download the incentive form.
MARCH
The American Legion’s Big Twelve Competition recognizes departments that meet or exceed their pledged membership goal percentage by the March 90% target date. The department in each category that has pledged the highest percentage and meets this goal receives the award. The percentage does not include members gained through DMS.
There are six categories; the winner in each will be reimbursed for computer equipment purchases of up to $2,000. Runners-up in each category will be reimbursed for computer equipment purchases of up to $1,000.
APRIL
The District Commander Race to the Top competition is divided into five categories based on the membership of the district without regard to geographic locations. District commanders will compete in each of the categories based on final membership year totals, and a top district commander for the national award will be selected from each of the five categories. Post ribbons will also be awarded to each top district commander for all posts in those districts. Second and third place awards will also be presented in each category.
MAY
Gold Brigade, Silver Brigade and Bronze Brigade: A Legionnaire who recruits 50 or more new members (excluding any transfers) into The American Legion by the May target date will qualify for the Gold Brigade award. A Legionnaire who recruits 25 to 49 new members (excluding any transfers) into The American Legion by the May target date will qualify for Silver Brigade award. A Legionnaire who recruits 15 to 24 new members (excluding any transfers) into The American Legion by the May target date will qualify for Bronze Brigade award.
Department Recruiter of the Year: American Legion posts can submit the name of a Legionnaire from the post who signed up the highest number of new members for the current membership year by the May 14 100% membership target date. Department headquarters will supply certification forms to be completed by the post commander or adjutant and submitted to department headquarters by the May membership target date plus one week.
Department adjutants will determine the top new member recruiter for their respective department and certify the winner to National Headquarters, on or before the last day of May. The top new member recruiter, properly nominated and certified from each department, will be awarded a framed certificate noting his or her accomplishment.
District Commander's New Post Achievement Award: District commanders who create new American Legion posts in their respective districts and have the new post’s temporary charter application on file at National Headquarters by the May target date will receive a framed certificate.
District Commander Achievement Award and District Honor Ribbon: All district commanders whose May target date membership exceeds the previous year’s membership by at least the number of posts in that district will be awarded the District Commander Achievement Award framed certificate. In addition, the district will receive a District Honor Ribbon for its district colors.
Post Membership Retention Award: This award recognizes posts for their ability to renew their previous year’s membership. To qualify, the post must have at least the minimum number of members to maintain their post charter within their designated department and retain at least 90% of their previous year’s membership by the May target date. The accompanying certificate for this award will reflect retention categories of over 90%, 95% and 100%.
Department Commander of the Year Award: Any department commander who meets or exceeds the 100% goal by the May target date will receive a framed certificate, presented by the national commander at the national convention. This award does not include a trip to the national convention.
- Dispatch