American Armenian Legion By-Laws

Purpose: To explain the mission, goals and organizational structure of the American Armenian Legion.

1. STATEMENT OF ETHICS:

Under no circumstances will the American Armenian Legion tolerate illegal behavior or racism.  We welcome all races, creeds, and religious preferences.

2. GOALS:

1. TO PRESENT itself to the citizens of this region as a well regulated, well trained, well equipped, and well educated legion.
2. TO ASSIST citizens and civil authorities in the event of a national disaster, civil defense or in the defense of self and state.
3. TO ESTABLISH a cohesive command structure able to instruct and to delegate tasks as needs arise.
4. TO TRAIN members in many disciplines necessary to the function of the legion as a whole and as members individually.
5. TO EDUCATE members in areas of history, law, and principles from knowledge imparted by this country’s historical foundations.
6. TO INFORM its members of local, national, and global events that would imperil the Constitution and impact the direction of the country.
7. TO ENCOURAGE members to stand against tyranny, and any person, entity, or force which threatens to undermine our republic.

3. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE:

In order to achieve the goals listed, a legion Command Staff has been created. Subordinate to the Command Staff will be other support elements. Each element will be made up of subordinate units necessary to perform the mission of the group as a whole. The Command Staff is made up of commissioned officers selected and appointed by the existing staff.

4. AUTHORITY:

Officers and Non-commissioned Officers appointed to command, as well as support positions, are given their authority by the U.S. Constitution. As a member you are expected to support and follow the lawful orders and directives of the Chain of Command. Trust and teamwork are the cornerstones of our organization. If you feel compelled to disobey or openly reject the Chain of Command, you should immediately withdraw from the legion, without prejudice. Provision is made to remove members who discredit the legion through a hearing, (court martial) conducted by the Command.

5. UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT:

As a member of the American Armenian Legion, you are encouraged to procure and maintain items of uniform and equipment. When in uniform, you represent the American Armenian Legion. Therefore your uniform will be clean, buttons buttoned, shirts tucked in, and patches sewn on properly. Proper impressions are very important to the public. The legionnaire’s backpack shall consist of necessary items (to be determined), based on the member’s assignment. The legionnaire will keep the backpack, thus outfitted, available at all times for rapid deployment. If you are restricted by funds, set your priority on proper uniforms and attire rather than exotic military hardware. A professional image is more creditable than a lot of neat toys. The legionnaires WILL be expected to obey All CONSTITUTIONAL state and local firearm laws.

6. FIREARMS:

The primary firearm of a member of the American Armenian Legion will be the rifle. It will be required of all legionnaires not otherwise opposed for conscience sake, to have his own rifle, ammunition, and backpack. The legionnaires are required to remain proficient in the maintenance and safe operation of the rifle and to have a minimum of 200 rounds of ammunition and 100 rounds per side arm available at all times. The legionnaires are normally expected to carry military style firearms. Only in self-defense will a legionnaire discharge his weapon in any area not specifically designated as a practice site or firing range. Members who hold a valid Concealed Handgun License (CHL) will be allowed to carry side arms as mandated by the laws of the State.

7. ASSEMBLY MEETINGS:

Periodic meetings and assemblies are necessary and shall be called to achieve the overall goals of the unit. Members must discipline themselves to set aside time each month for assembly. Members will be notified of actual assembly times and places.

All members will be required to provide information about themselves in order to best utilize their experience and backgrounds. Information provided will be kept confidential and will be used only for the functioning of the American Armenian Legion.

Under no circumstances are legionnaires to discredit the American Armenian Legion by pressuring citizens to join or to contribute material or financial support. All material and financial contributions will be accepted with the clear understanding that the unalienable rights of all will be protected without qualification. All material and financial contributions will consider property of the American Armenian Legion.

8. MEMBERSHIP:

Membership in the American Armenian Legion shall be open to any legal citizen over the age of 17 regardless of sex, physical characteristics or national origin. Membership is voluntary and will last until the member withdraws or is dismissed by proper authority.

Types of membership:

a) Active Member- An active participant in the American Armenian Legion activities while abiding by the rules and regulations of the American Armenian Legion will undergo a 90 day probationary period, providing information required by the Command Staff and take an oath.

b) Covert Member- An active supporter, who due to his or her profession, temperament, or employment must remain anonymous. A supporter does not take the oath, has no voting rights, or input in the operation of the American Armenian Legion.

Withdrawal or Dismissal:

A member, (including officers), may voluntarily withdraw his or her membership in the legion by notifying the Commanding Officer, in writing, of his/her decision to withdraw. Following the 90-day probationary period, a member (including officers, but excluding the Commanding Officer) may be removed from membership only after a formal hearing by the Chain of Command, conducted by the Chief of Staff. A two-thirds vote from the Command Staff will be required to remove any member.

9. GUIDELINES:

All legionnaires will be required to take and sign the Oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America and Armenia, to protect it from all enemies.

While it is intended that the legion intrudes as little as possible in the private lives of its members, it is also clear that individual members are volunteers and must be ready to meet periodically and deploy as the need arises. It will be the objective of the Staff to infringe as little as possible on the time of legionnaires recognizing their responsibilities to their families and their jobs.

The legionnaires are highly encouraged to live exemplary lives. Blatant violations of the law place the legitimacy of the American Armenian Legion at risk. Therefore, in order to protect the legion as a whole, members in violation will be subject to a court martial, comprised of the Command Staff, convened to hear the facts of the case. Members may stand trial for such acts that would discredit the American Armenian Legion or place it at risk. The member will stand accused at his or her own defense. No charge will be brought to court martial unless supported by at least two witnesses. The maximum penalty for any offense will be permanent dismissal from the legion. After counsel, the convened Command Staff will vote on action. Any legionnaire may voluntarily withdraw from the legion without prejudice at any time for conscience sake, when not under fire. In such cases any issued equipment must be returned.

10. CODE OF CONDUCT:

I am an American Armenian serving with the legin, which guards my homeland, our Constitution and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

I will never surrender of my own free will, if in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while the have the means and will to resist.

If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means possible. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action that might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will support them in every way.

When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am bound to give only my name, rank and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my beloved homeland and its citizens or harmful to their continued struggle for liberty and freedom as prescribed in the Constitution of the United States .

In all cases, I will endeavor to instruct and to inform members of organized Legion units seeking to persuade them to join the Patriot struggle, urging them for justice and conscience sake to return America or Armenia to the Constitutional Republic our forefathers envisioned.

I will never forget that I am an American Armenian, a citizen of the greatest nation on earth, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will place my trust in God, the United States of America and Armenia the goodness of her people.