A message from The American Legion National Judge Advocate Mark C. Seavey, J.D.
Effective immediately, the Adjutant or Secretary at each Unit shall verify a member’s eligibility by reviewing documentation such as a DD214, then promptly return the document to the individual. No copies or electronic records containing Personally Identifiable Information shall be retained.
Some Units currently maintain decades of archived DD214s, including those of deceased members. These records should be securely destroyed to reduce exposure to identity theft and mitigate potential legal liability.
This policy should be communicated to all membership staff and incorporated into Unit and Department procedures effective February 4, 2026.