Benefits of Membership
The VFW appreciates your service, and so do patriotic businesses across the country. That's why we've teamed up to offer you -as a VFW member- and your family discounted pricing on valuable merchandise and services. It's just one more way we're able to say, "thank you" for all you've done to protect our freedom!
National Insurance Program
Life Insurance, Medicare Programs, Life Planning & Annuities
Already a Life Member?
Legacy Life membership lets current Life Members leave a lasting endowment to their Post, Department, and the national organization, with a Memorial Legacy option in honor of deceased members.
Tier benefits and pricing are set nationally — see vfw.org/join/legacy-life. This is a separate upgrade from initial enrollment.
VFW Post 12205 · Membership
Check Your Eligibility to Join the VFW
Enter what applies to your service below. This tool checks it against the National Bylaws and Manual of Procedure so you know, before you apply, whether your service qualifies you for membership.
Bylaws Sec. 101, p. 9 · Manual of Procedure Sec. 101, pp. 58–63About your service
Used only to show the right membership costs below — not required to determine eligibility.
Hostile Fire or Imminent Danger Pay
Under 37 U.S.C. §310, receiving this pay qualifies you for membership on its own — regardless of which campaign or medal applies.
Your area(s) of operations & dates of service
Tell us where you served overseas and when. When you click "Check My Eligibility” below, we'll match this against a valid From date to find any campaign or service medal whose window overlaps it — you can list more than one area, separated by commas.
Please enter your From date above — it is required to check eligibility.
Korea Duty — 30/60‑day rule
Separate from the Korean Service Medal (1950–1954): service on the Korean peninsula, its airspace, or territorial waters after June 30, 1949, for at least 30 consecutive days, or 60 days total, also qualifies. This rule uses the From date entered above — it must be June 1949 or later for these days to count.
You mentioned Korea in your area(s) of operations above — please enter both day-count fields (use 0 if one does not apply) so we can check the 30/60-day rule.
This tool is a screening aid, not a membership decision. Per Manual of Procedure Sec. 101/103, final eligibility is established when the Post Reviewing Committee examines your DD‑214 or other official military documents. Campaign lists, qualifying dates, and page references are drawn from the current Bylaws & Manual of Procedure and may be revised in future editions.
Questions about eligibility or the application process: Jvc@vfw12205.org
