Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is your WHY?

Lately, some of us are hearing this question being asked more and more often. It is a question we should ask ourselves from time to time as our answers may change. Our answer is a clue to our motivation for being a Legionnaire and why we devote our time and energy to serving our veterans, their families, and our local communities. Our answer to the question “What is your why?” helps explain why we do what we do as Legionnaires.

“How Great Leaders Inspire Action” (18:34 min) is a TED talk that gives a much fuller explanation of why your answer to the question “What is your why?”

How can I find out what my post officer’s jobs are?

Your post’s constitution and by-laws contain the best description of specific jobs are assigned in your specific post. Both of these documents and your post’s standing rules are available from your post adjutant. The Post Officer Guide and Manual of Ceremonies is also a good source of information about the duties of post leaders.

What is Post 1000?

Post 1000 is the Department of California Headquarters Post. It is an administrative post where new members are assigned when they join The American Legion, through National Headquarters, Direct Membership Solicitation (DMS) program. As an administrative post there are no meetings or activities, although Post 1000 members are entitled to the same membership benefits as Legionnaires who belong to a local post. Post 1000 members can visit local posts as a guest. Of course, Legionnaires can choose to remain in the Post 1000 but we recommend that they visit local posts and if they find one they like, they are free to apply for transfer (it’s easy…just talk to one of the officers to get it started). It’s a great way to get involved with your local community.

Local posts may also contact members of Post 1000 living near them and invite Post 1000 members to join their local post. A post or district revitalization program occurs at a specific time and place where post Legionnaires gather to contact all the local Post 1000 members by phone to invite them to join their local post.

Post 1000 members are not eligible to purchase an American Legion uniform cap. Purchase of a uniform cap is reserved for Legionnaires registered in a local post. The current Post 1000 annual dues are $47.00.

What is DMS?

The Direct Membership Solicitation (DMS) program is a membership recruitment tool of The American Legion that has been in effect since 1982. Eligible veterans are offered an introductory rate. This is the primary way Post 1000 membership grows as those who take advantage of the DMS program are placed in Post 1000. The renewal rate is the same as the headquarters post (Post 1000) rate in the department where they live.

The individual must certify their eligibility on the application they return to national by indicating the dates they served on active duty, their character of discharge, their branch of service and their birth date.

Acronyms

Some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQ) are those asked about acronyms. The American Legion is no exception as we have our fair share of the “alphabet soup” common to many organizations – acronyms! When people do not know the meaning of an acronym, they can block effective communication.

Common Courtesy

Defining an acronym the first time it is used in your writing, is common courtesy. As an example of how not defining an acronym can hinder communication, DEC could mean Department Executive Committee or District Executive Committee, defining the acronym DEC when first used will tell your readers which DEC you are talking about.

The American Legion and the veteran community have a wealth of acronyms. Here are a few:

ALR – American Legion Riders
BOR– Book of Reports is an annual compilation of year-end reports for the department.
BRS – Uniformed Services Blended Retirement System, or BRS.
C&Y – Children & Youth
CALVET – California Department of Veterans Affairs
CASA – Court-Appointed Special Advocate
CBOC – A VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic
CDVA – California Department of Veterans Affairs
COTA – Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA)
D&O – Directors & Officers Insurance for Nonprofits
DEC – Department Executive Committee
DEC – District Executive Committee (reference your district by-laws for information specific to your district)
DMS – Direct Member Solicitation
DoC – Department of California
DSO – Department Service Officer
DVBE – Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise
DVOP – Disabled Veterans Outreach Program
EIN – Employer ID Number
EOM – End Of Message
FDC – Fully Developed Claims
FG&C – For God & Country
FODPAL – Foreign and Outlying Departments and Posts of The American Legion
ICE – Immigration and Customs Enforcement
JROTC – Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
KSU – Kick Stands Up
LVER – Local Veterans Employment Representative
MOS – Military Occupational Specialty
MST – Military Sexual Trauma
NADHAL – National Association of Department Historians
NALPA – National American Legion Press Association
NEC – National Executive Committee or National Executive Committeeman
OCW – Operation Comfort Warrior
OEF – Operation Enduring Freedom
OIF – Operation Iraqi Freedom
OIR – Operation Inherent Resolve
OND – Operation New Dawn
OPC – VA Outpatient Center
PGR – Patriot Guard Riders
PNC – Past National Commander
PSO – Post Service Officer
PTSD – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
PUFL – Paid Up For Life
RAO – Retiree Assistance Office
ROTC – Reserve Officer Training Corps
ROMP – Riding On Military Pride
SAL – Sons of the American Legion
SEO – Search Engine Optimization
SEP – Stakeholders Enterprise Portal
TALARC – The American Legion Amateur Radio Club
TALMA – The American Legion Media Alliance
TBI – Traumatic Brain Injury
TFA – Temporary Financial Assistance
TLA – Three-Letter Acronym*
VA & R – Veteran Affairs & Rehabilitation
VAMC – Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center
VE&E – Veterans Employment & Education Commission
VASH – Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing
VAVS – Veterans Affairs Volunteer Service
VMB – Veteran Memorial Building
VBMS – Veterans Benefits Management Systems
VSO – Veteran Service Organization or Veteran Service Officer
YELC – Youth Environment Leadership Conference
YPAA – Youth Programs Alumni Association