Eligible veterans have two ways to apply for membership to the VFW. You can either fill out a paper form in-person at your local post or complete an application online on the National VFW website.
Why to Join
VFW membership comes with many rewards — from lifelong friendships, and organizational skills to insurance policies, travel discounts and Credit Union membership. To learn more about the benefits of membership, visit https://www.vfw.org/join/member-benefits.
Membership Dues
Annual dues for our VFW Post are $40. For those who wish to make a permanent commitment to the VFW, lifetime memberships are also available.
It’s not the price you pay to join. It’s the price you pay to be eligible.
Eligibility
VFW membership is open to all honorably discharged veterans who served in our nation’s military in any foreign war, insurrection or expedition, which is recognized by the award of a campaign or service medal of the United States or by the receipt of Hostile Fire Pay or Imminent Danger Pay.
Proof of Eligibility
Eligibility for membership in both the VFW and Auxiliary is based on a veteran’s service record. When applying for membership, proof of eligibility is required to show that the veteran earned an eligible campaign/service medal or received special pay for duty subject to hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay in a qualifying conflict.
The most common form of proof is the veteran’s Discharge Record — known as a DD-214 form — which would provide proof of service and campaign ribbons. It can take several weeks to obtain the records this way, so we encourage you to first search your home or ask family members who may have a copy.
Acceptable forms of Proof of Eligibility include the following:
- Discharge Record (DD-214)
- Travel Orders
- Medical Orders
- Morning Reports
- Assignment Listings
- Photo of eligible veteran in the identifiable area
- Memorials where the veteran’s name appears
- Letters from eligible veteran that would establish foreign service
- Any other form of proof acceptable to the VFW
How to Request Copies of Proof of Eligibility
If you do not have a copy of the discharge record of the veteran, copies of their Military Record can be requested via the internet from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). Because the online form is designed to ask you for all information essential for NPRC to process the request, delays due to incomplete information will be minimized. Therefore, military veterans and the next of kin of deceased former military members may request from the NPRC website at www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/index.html.
Receipt of hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay can be verified through a service member’s Leave and Earnings Statement (DFAS Form 702), issued by the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. The Marine Corps issues the DFAS-KC Form 7220/39. Even such simple things as orders, letters home with proof, or photos and buddy afidavits can serve as proof for those who have no other documents.
Once you obtain a copy of your eligibility papers, it is best to safeguard them as you would any other sensitive document (wills, marriage and birth certificates, insurance policies). It may be required to obtain Veterans Administration benefits, such as medical, VA loans, or burial benefits. Therefore, you should ensure that a family member or another trusted person has immediate access to the form upon the death of the veteran. Our Post can also be keep a copy for you.
Veterans of Foreign Wars: Post 10225 