Veterans organizations
Veterans Organizations & Military Associations
Where veterans find each other: national veterans service organizations with local posts, service associations, heritage societies and groups for military and Gold Star families.
Most of these groups are nonprofits, and several are chartered by Congress. Veterans service organizations (VSOs) also employ accredited service officers who help veterans file VA claims free of charge — you never have to pay anyone to file a claim for you. Look for a local post near you on our state help pages.
Veterans service organizations
Membership organizations that advocate for veterans and help them file VA claims — many through accredited service officers, free of charge.
The American Legion
The largest wartime veterans organization, with local posts in communities nationwide; runs youth programs, advocacy and free help with VA claims.
Find a local post or chapter on our state help pages.
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Open to veterans who served in a foreign war or qualifying overseas operation; local posts are community gathering places and its service officers assist with benefits claims.
Find a local post or chapter on our state help pages.
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
Helps veterans with service-connected disabilities obtain benefits, and runs a nationwide volunteer transportation network to VA medical appointments.
Find a local post or chapter on our state help pages.
AMVETS
Open to anyone who has served honorably, including current service members, National Guard and reservists.
Find a local post or chapter on our state help pages.
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)
Founded by and for Vietnam-era veterans, with local chapters and a guiding principle that no generation of veterans will abandon another.
Find a local post or chapter on our state help pages.
Paralyzed Veterans of America
Serves veterans with spinal cord injury or disease — benefits advocacy, accessibility and adaptive sports.
Blinded Veterans Association
Peer support and advocacy for veterans who have lost their sight.
Service associations & professional groups
Associations built around a branch of service, a rank group or a professional community.
Marine Corps League
Marines, FMF corpsmen and chaplains who served with Marines, organized in local detachments.
Find a local post or chapter on our state help pages.
Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)
Advocacy and career transition support for active, retired and former officers and their families.
Non Commissioned Officers Association
Represents enlisted service members and veterans of all services.
Fleet Reserve Association
Enlisted sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen — active, reserve and retired.
Association of the United States Army (AUSA)
Professional association supporting soldiers, Army civilians and their families.
Navy League of the United States
Civilian organization supporting the sea services and their families.
Air & Space Forces Association
Education and advocacy for the Air Force and Space Force community.
National Guard Association of the United States
Represents National Guard officers and advocates for the Guard.
Reserve Organization of America
Advocacy for reservists of every service.
Heritage & valor societies
Groups that preserve the memory of specific wars, awards or communities.
Military Order of the Purple Heart
The organization of Purple Heart recipients — combat-wounded veterans and the families of the fallen.
Find a local post or chapter on our state help pages.
Jewish War Veterans of the USA
The oldest active national veterans organization in the United States, representing Jewish veterans.
Find a local post or chapter on our state help pages.
Catholic War Veterans
Catholic veterans organized in local posts for fellowship, service and advocacy.
Find a local post or chapter on our state help pages.
Korean War Veterans Association
Keeps the memory of the ‘Forgotten War’ alive through chapters and remembrance events.
Military Order of the World Wars
Officers’ patriotic society known for youth leadership conferences.
Congressional Medal of Honor Society
The society of living Medal of Honor recipients, which also runs character-development education programs.
Military & Gold Star families
Support for spouses, parents and children of service members and of the fallen.
Gold Star Wives of America
Surviving spouses of service members who died on active duty or from service-connected causes.
American Gold Star Mothers
Mothers who have lost a son or daughter in service to the nation.
TAPS — Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
24/7 grief support for anyone grieving the death of a military loved one.
Blue Star Families
Connects military families with their civilian neighbors and runs community chapters.
Community, fitness & transition
Newer organizations focused on connection, service and life after the military.
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)
Advocacy and peer support for post-9/11 veterans.
Student Veterans of America
Chapters on college campuses supporting veterans in higher education.
Team Red, White & Blue
Local chapters that connect veterans with their communities through physical and social activity.
Mission Continues
Veterans volunteering together on community service projects.
Team Rubicon
Disaster-response organization of veterans and civilians — a way to keep serving.
Wounded Warrior Project
Programs for veterans wounded, injured or ill in service after September 11, 2001.
Hire Heroes USA
Free job-search coaching and placement for transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses.
Founding year, headquarters and membership figures: Wikidata (where available). We are not affiliated with any organization listed; check any charity with a service such as Charity Navigator before donating.