The American Legion Post Service Officer (PSO) is a volunteer position within the individual post. The volunteer may be appointed or elected to that position by vote of the post membership at the annual election. A Post Service Officer (PSO) plays a crucial volunteer role within their post. They are typically the first point of contact for post members or their dependents seeking assistance with veteran benefit matters. The main responsibility of the PSO is to act as a bridge between the veteran or dependent and the accredited Veteran Service Officers in the Department of Washington.

    Beyond helping to establish this link with an accredited service officer there is more a good Post Service Officer should know, The American Legion created the Post
    Service Officer’s Guide     to assist PSO’s in their duties. It states:

    “An effective PSO understands the benefits afforded to veterans and dependents; however, the PSO is not authorized to file any claims on behalf of the claimant. PSOs serve as valuable resources to veterans in local posts to ensure that our veterans and their dependents receive their earned benefits.”

    For lost military records, call the VA at 844-531-7818.

    To request your military service records (including DD-214) Click Here

    Veterans Benefits Links

    Points of Contact

    Each Post Service Officer should have readily available contact information for various resources in their local area that could be beneficial to veterans and their dependents. These resources may include, but are not limited to:

    • Connecting with the Department Service Officer (DSO) for VA Claims preparation & assistance
    • County Veterans Program benefits and contact information
    • Food Banks
    • Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA)
    • National Emergency Fund (NEF)
    • Agencies for senior citizens
    • State veteran homes
    • Homeless shelters
    • Homeless resources
    • State and national veteran cemeteries
    • VA Health Care Registration
    • PTSD Questions
    • VA Home Loans
    • Education/GI Bill Benefits
    • Aid & Attendance
    • Obtaining Military Service Records / DD214
    • Department of Veterans Affairs contact information, including phone numbers and website addresses
    • Washington Department of Veteran Affairs (WDVA) resources, contact information and website addresses

    Depending upon location, state and municipal governments may provide benefits to disabled veterans. PSOs should contact DSOs and/or local accredited representatives to gather the information that could be provided through state government programs.

    What to do Before a Veteran Dies

    How can I arrange military funeral honors for a veteran, and what do these honors entail? The final act of respect that America offers a veteran occurs during the funeral honors ceremony. We can support veterans and their families in preparing for this challenging day before it arrives.

    While some may think funeral honors should be exclusively linked to information for Post Chaplains, they are also an important aspect for Post Service Officers to understand. Funeral Honors is covered in detail in the Post Officer’s Guide. Familiarity with resources like ‘What To Do Before A Veteran Dies‘ enables Post Service Officers to better assist veterans and their families during times of loss. Post Chaplains can also provide vital support to families during these difficult moments.

    By helping veterans recognize the importance of making advance preparations, we can alleviate some of the burden on their loved ones.