AMERICAN LEGION ETIQUETTE GUIDE

The ceremonial services of the American legion must be conducted with the solemnity befitting the dignity of the organization.
No one shall be admitted during opening, initiation, or closing ceremonies of a post meeting.
Comrades shall be careful never to pass between the flags and station of the commander.
A member entering the hall after the meeting has begun shall advance to the center of the room, salute the colors and be seated.
A member desiring to be excused from the hall while the meeting is in progress shall advance to the center of the room, salute the colors, and then leave.
The national colors and post flag, when in position, shall be in position at either side and just in advance of the commander’s station; the national colors on the right of the commander, the post colors on the left when facing the audience, even though the commander is on the platform and the flags are posted at ground level.
Each officer shall be equipped with the official Legion uniform cap and proper official badge of the respective office.
Legionnaires standing in silent tribute in memory of departed comrades during meetings or ceremonies will face the flag of our country for a period of sixty seconds as a tribute to our comrades who have passed on and in honor of those now serving in the armed forces.

UNIFORM CAP ETIQUETTE

Additional lettering, restricted to either the name of a Post or to an officer title, such as Past Commander

The Legion uniform cap should be worn by its members only when in attendance at official Legion meetings or ceremonies or as official guests at patriotic or other civil functions or by individuals when officially representing The American Legion on public occasions.

A member is considered to be in uniform if wearing an official Legion uniform cap. Therefore it is not proper to wear the cap while eating a meal at an official Legion or civic luncheon or dinner.

The cap should be worn in a place of worship only by the Guard of Honor, Color Guard, and Commander of same while in marching order or standing guard. When returned to and seated in pews, the cap should be removed.

Legion posts marching in formation into a place of worship should uncover at the door, hold the cap with the right hand over the heart until the arrival in the pews and commanded to take seats, remaining uncovered during the entire service. At the close of the service, upon command, the post shall arise, the members holding the cap with the right hand over the heart will march out of the place of worship and recover after marching through the door.

Legion members not in formation will uncover upon entering the place of worship and remain uncovered during the entire service and will recover after leaving the place of worship.

When at a funeral, the cap should be held over the heart as one approaches the casket and is not at any time worn in a place of worship (except by the Guard of Honor, Color Guard, or Commander of same while in marching order or standing guard.) At the graveside, the cap should be held in the right hand over the heart during the entire service. In cold and inclement weather, the cap should not be worn.

In Legion meetings, the cap should be worn except during moments of the Pledge of Allegiance, prayer, and when standing in silent reverence in memory of departed comrades, when the cap should be held with the right hand over the heart.

Female members of the Legion should wear their caps in the manner prescribed for female personnel of the armed services.

If desired, the following items must be placed on the right side of the Cap:
- Additional lettering, restricted to either the name of a Post or to an officer title, such as Past Commander
- Cap insignias or badges for past or present officers
- Consecutive membership insignia, membership stars, and/or authorized Legion or military service decorations

The left side (emblem side) of the cap is reserved only for the Legion emblem, city, county, district, or state lettering.