Hereditary Membership is be available to any U.S. citizen who is descended from, or was adopted by an officer who would be eligible. In the case of failure of lineal issue or adopted child, a descendant of a sister or a brother of a member, or the surviving spouse of a former member of the Order may be eligible.
Regular Membership is open to a citizen of the United States of America of moral character and good repute who has served honorably on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States of America, to include the National Guard and Reserve, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, and the United States Public Health Service as a federally recognized commissioned officer, flight officer, or warrant officer of any grade, from 6 April 1917.