Membership: Awards/Recognition

National Awards

2023-2024 National Awards

Individual Awards

100% Post Commander & Post Adjutant Pins

100% Post Commander & Post Adjutant Pins

All Post Commanders and Post Adjutants of the posts achieving 100% membership by May 8th will receive a 100% Commander Pin and 100% Adjutant Pin. No forms needed. Department verified.

National Recruiter of the Year

National Recruiter of the Year

 

Department Headquarters will determine the top new member recruiter and certify the winner to National Headquarters. The top new member recruiter, properly nominated and certified from each Department, will be awarded a framed certificate, from National, noting his or her accomplishment. The individual with the highest number of new members recruited from among all the Departments will be declared National Membership Recruiter of the Year. The award includes a trip to the National Convention: six days and five nights for the Legionnaire and guest, round-trip air transportation, hotel accommodations and reserved seating tickets to the National Commanders’ Banquet for Distinguished Guests (pages 44-45 of the Department Membership Manual).

Monetary awards will be presented to the next highest 26 individuals:

  • One $1,000 check
    10 $150 award checks (third place)
    15 $100 award checks (fourth place)
The Gold Brigade Award

The Gold Brigade Award

A Legionnaire who recruits 50 or more NEW members into The American Legion by the Department May goal date, will qualify for enrollment in the elite GOLD BRIGADE of The American Legion. These very special Legionnaires will be awarded unique gifts that designate affiliation with the Gold Brigade of The American Legion. Also, special recognition will be given to those Legionnaires through special announcements at National Convention, in The Dispatch, online and in other media. The gifts awarded to a Gold Brigade recipient will depend on the number of times the member has qualified for their separate respective awards. Certification forms to Department Headquarters on or before May 8, 2024 (pages 46-47 of the Department Membership Manual).

First-time Gold awardees will receive:

  • Gold Brigade Patch
  • Special Gold Brigade Cap Pin
  • Gold Brigade Certificate

Choice of: 

  • Designer Jacket
  • Polo Shirt
  • Sweater w/ a Gold Brigade Logo

Second through fourth time awardees will receive: 

  • Gold Brigade Certificate

Choice of: 

  • “Hash Mark” for jacket sleeve
  • Designer Jacket
  • Polo Shirt
  • Sweater w/ Gold Brigade Logo

Seventh-time and beyond awardees will receive: 

  • Gold Brigade Certificate
  • “Hash Mark” for jacket sleeve

Choice of: 

  • Designer Jacket
  • Polo Shirt
  • Sweater w/ Gold Brigade Logo

Deadline: May 8, 2024

Download Application

Gold Brigade Award Fifth Consecutive Year Award

Gold Brigade Fifth Consecutive Year Award

Any recipient who has earned the Gold Brigade award for five consecutive years to include the current membership year by the Department May goal date, is eligible for a distinctive blue Gold Brigade blazer. A Legionnaire may only qualify for this award once every 5 years. Certification forms are due to Department Headquarters on or before May 8, 2024 (pages 48-49 of the Department Membership Manual).

Deadline: May 8, 2024

Download Application

Gold Brigade Sixth Consecutive Year Award

Gold Brigade Sixth Consecutive Year Award

Any recipient who has earned the Gold Brigade award for six consecutive years to include the current membership year by the Department May goal date, is eligible for a $150 check and an American Legion Cap with the label “Master Recruiter,” a Gold Brigade plaque, a cap pin and hash mark. Certification forms are due to Department Headquarters on or before May 8, 2024 (pages 50-51 of the Department Membership Manual).

Deadline: May 8, 2024

Download Application

Gold Brigade Tenth Consecutive Year Award

Gold Brigade Tenth Consecutive Year Award

Any recipient who has earned the Gold Brigade award for ten consecutive years to include the current membership year by the Department May goal date, is eligible for a distinctive blue Gold Brigade blazer. This is a one-time award. Certification forms are due to Department Headquarters on or before May 8, 2024 (pages 52-53 of the Department Membership Manual).

Deadline: May 8, 2024

Download Application

The Silver Brigade Award

The Silver Brigade Award

A Legionnaire who recruits 25 to 49 NEW members (excluding any transfers) into The American Legion by the Department May goal date, will qualify for this award. A silver pin and certificate will be awarded. Note: Silver Brigade and Gold Brigade awards cannot be awarded to a recruiter during the same membership year. Certification forms are due to Department Headquarters on or before May 8, 2024 (pages 54-55 of the Department Membership Manual).

Deadline: May 8, 2024

Download Application

New Post Development Pin

New Post Development Pin

The New Post Development Pin is available to any individual who assists with the initial start-up of a new post. These volunteers can be nominated for this pin at any time throughout the year (page 56 of the Department Membership Manual).

Download Application

Post Revitalization Recognition Letter

Post Revitalization Recognition Letter

Individuals who assist in revitalizing a post will receive a recognition letter from the National Commander for their hard work (pages 57 of the Department Membership Manual)

Download Application

Pioneer Award

Pioneer Award

The National Membership & Post Activities Committee created the Pioneer Award on May 5, 1965, to recognize those directly involved with new post formation. However, recognition and awarding of this citation are the new posts’ responsibility. Completed certification forms should be returned to Department Headquarters for approval prior to being forwarded to National Headquarters (page 58 of the Department Membership Manual).

Download Application

Post Awards

Post Honor Ribbon

Post Honor Ribbon

Honor ribbons are awarded to all posts whose membership for the current membership year (as of December 31st) achieves an advance membership (for the year about to begin) equal to or greater than the final membership for the year ending. Department will certify eligible Posts to National.

Certificate of Meritorious Service / All-Time High Award

Certificate of Meritorious Service / All-Time High Award

This certificate is awarded to all posts that have, by December 31st, enrolled an advance membership for the membership year equaling or surpassing the posts’ previous all-time high membership. Department will certify eligible Posts to National.

Five or More Consecutive Years / All-Time High Post Award

Five or More Consecutive Years / All-Time High Post Award

Department Headquarters will certify to the National Headquarters all posts that retain Five (or more) Consecutive Year All-Time High. The post will receive a citation issued by the National Headquarters. After a post has won the award for five consecutive years of all-time highs, it continues to win the award each year thereafter as long as each years’ membership set a new all-time high.

Post Membership Retention Award

Post Membership Retention Award

This award recognizes posts for their ability to renew their previous years’ membership. To qualify, the post must have at least the minimum number of members to maintain their post charter 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 will certify eligible Posts to National.

Post Revitalization Recognition Letter

Post Revitalization Recognition Letter

A revitalized post will receive a letter from the national commander welcoming them back into The American Legion (page 57 of the Department Membership Manual).

Download Application

District Commander Awards

District Commander Race to the Top Competition

District Commander “Race to the Top” Competition

(Cut-off date is March 31st) 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 following categories based on the 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. The District Commanders will be awarded checks in the amount of $500
for second place or $375 for third place, but no additional ribbons will be awarded for the Posts in these districts. Must be 100% to qualify. Department will certify eligible District Commander’s to National.

Race to the Top categories

  • Category I: 14-1,499 members
  • Category II: 1,500 – 2,999 members
  • Category III: 3,000 – 4,999 members
  • Category IV: 5,000 – 7,499 members
  • Category V: 7,500 plus members

First place award: The top District Commander and guest in each category whose district membership on March 31st represents the greatest percentage over the final previous years’ membership will receive a trip to the 105th National Convention in New Orleans, LA. The district cannot be less than 100% to qualify. Each winner and guest are entitled to a trip to the national convention as a distinguished guest of the national commander, including round-trip airfare, tickets to the Nation Commanders’ Banquet, and hotel accommodations for six days and five nights. These District Commanders will also receive Legion caps signifying they are Race to the Top winners, awarded on stage at the National Convention with ribbons for each of the districts’ posts.

Second place: The District Commanders in each category whose district membership on March 31st  represents the second-highest percentage over final previous year membership will receive a $500 check. The district cannot be less than 100% to qualify.

Third Place:

The District Commanders in each category whose district membership on March 31st  represents the second-highest percentage over final previous year membership will receive a $375 check. The district cannot be less than 100% to qualify. 

District Commander's New Post Achievement Award

District Commander’s New Post Achievement Award

District Commanders who create a new American Legion post in their respective Districts and have the new posts’ temporary charter application on file at National Headquarters by May 8, 2024, will receive a framed certificate. Department will certify eligible District Commanders to National.

District Commander Achievement Award and District Honor Ribbon

District Commander Achievement Award and District Honor Ribbon

All District Commanders whose May target date membership exceeds the previous years’ 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. Department will certify eligible District Commanders to National.

100% District Commander Pin

100% District Commander Pin

This special pin is worn only by those legionnaires who as District Commanders accomplished at least 100% of their assigned District membership goals. Department will certify eligible District Commanders to National.


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