American Legion Cap Etiquette

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

If desired, the following items must be placed on the right side of the cap:

A) additional lettering, restricted to either the name of a Post, or to an officer title (such as "Past Commander"),

B) cap insignias or badges (for Past or Present officers),

C) consecutive membership insignia, membership stars, and/or authorized Legion or military services decorations.

Names or nicknames of individual members cannot be used on caps.

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 the 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 our of the place of worship, and recover after marching through the door.

Legion members not in formation will uncover upon entering the place of worhip 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 worhip (except by the Guard of Honor, Color Guard or Commander os 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 or 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 forces.