Is someone whose entire service was in the National Guard a “veteran” and thus eligible to join, or do you have to have done active duty?
Update and answer: A reader notes that since Guardsmen do a month of active duty a year, they qualify as “veterans” per the VA and the Legion. Thanks.
Second update and opposite answer:
Another reader cites and links to a local Legion website that says:
Current and past members of the National Guard and Reserve may also be eligible for membership provided that they had periods of active duty service in one or another of the aforementioned eligibility eras. Annual summer camps and weekend drills
do not constitute eligible periods of service. Active duty is the key to Legion membership. A person need not have served overseas to be eligible, but must possess an Honorable Discharge (DD Form 214).”
That seems clear enough. That leads to a second question: Did 1LT Bush ever serve on active duty? If not, on what basis does he claim membership in the Legion?
Guidance, please.