Posted on Oct 22, 2014
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Earlier this week there was an article in the Washington Times, http://bit.ly/1rqsg9c, about younger Veterans bypassing the American Legion and VFW for more modern organizations like Wounded Warrior Project, Team Rubicon, Got Your 6 and Team RWB. Kate Hoit was the service member profiled who stated "she will never join the VFW or the American Legion." She also said those "organizations are unwelcoming and out of touch with the needs of post-Sept. 11 veterans who served in Afghanistan and Iraq." There have been several responses to the Washington Times article including a post on the American Legion's blog site, http://bit.ly/1wtIYe9, calling out Ms. Hoit as not being an uninterested bystander and perhaps being a straw man for the old versus new Veteran Service Organizations.
My question is are the older more established organizations working to get younger veterans into their ranks and leadership or are older vets dominating these organizations and not wanting to allow younger vets to enjoy the cameraderie that was denied them outside of these organizations.
FULL DISCLAIMER: I am a member of BOTH the American Legion and VFW, I am a member of Post 5 of the American Legion in Nashville, Tennessee and a Member at Large of the VFW. I also participate in events put on by the Wounded Warrior Project, such as the recent 8K Race in Franklin, Tennessee.
My question is are the older more established organizations working to get younger veterans into their ranks and leadership or are older vets dominating these organizations and not wanting to allow younger vets to enjoy the cameraderie that was denied them outside of these organizations.
FULL DISCLAIMER: I am a member of BOTH the American Legion and VFW, I am a member of Post 5 of the American Legion in Nashville, Tennessee and a Member at Large of the VFW. I also participate in events put on by the Wounded Warrior Project, such as the recent 8K Race in Franklin, Tennessee.
Posted in these groups: 
Wounded Warriors
Service
Wounded Warriors Service
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 45
Based on what I have observed... VFWs hold no attraction to me.
Smoke filled, cheap beer gatherings of folks that have no life other then that past.
That is harsh, and likely not the majority of VFWs and there members.. but it is the perception I have based on the few I have been into.. To include one here in Texas where I teach an MSF class at in a side room.
I am a life time member of the VFW, only because a relative is a ..well I cont remember, some VFW officer or another and he signed me and my wife up.
Smoke filled, cheap beer gatherings of folks that have no life other then that past.
That is harsh, and likely not the majority of VFWs and there members.. but it is the perception I have based on the few I have been into.. To include one here in Texas where I teach an MSF class at in a side room.
I am a life time member of the VFW, only because a relative is a ..well I cont remember, some VFW officer or another and he signed me and my wife up.
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I will be honest with this. I have been in the Army for 13 years (since 18) and I have never considered looking at the American Legion or VFW. The main reason is that it never appealed to (and I know they serve a greater purpose). I know that the organizations is great, but it feels dated to me (and that's just my observations being young). For example, I get letters from them about some free item and a veteran certificate... but I just never see them truly advertise as these new organizations do. I usually pass an American Legion when driving around the states and the outposts look really small. Basically, what I'm getting at is they have to advertise and reach to the younger generations. I know in hindsight that advertising DOES NOT mean an organization is great; it just affects the initial projection of the organization. I am just saying this because I think it is important that they continue to reach out by providing my honest observations.
TSgt Mark Vaughn nailed it. I am a very electronic and digital type of person. I dislike physical mail and having people call me (sad, but it's how most people are these days). The newer organizations have a very strong online presence. I believe the IAVA did multiple commercials on TV on how VETS may feel coming back from a deployment. Stuff like this I believe is what makes the newer organizations more appealing.
TSgt Mark Vaughn nailed it. I am a very electronic and digital type of person. I dislike physical mail and having people call me (sad, but it's how most people are these days). The newer organizations have a very strong online presence. I believe the IAVA did multiple commercials on TV on how VETS may feel coming back from a deployment. Stuff like this I believe is what makes the newer organizations more appealing.
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SPC Travis Grizzard
Then get in and change things. That's what happened here in Loveland. American Legion Riders are bringing in a lot of younger members as well.
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You actually have two issues there. One is the issue of younger Vets and the other is the issue of female Vets joining the VFW. My wife was a WAC when she first enlisted, she was 57 when she was called up to go to Iraq. Connie was already a member of the American Legion, but she was given directions to the VFW Auxiliary meeting, (they met in different rooms on the same night) when she showed up for a meeting.
I'm American Legion, and a member of the American Legion Riders, Post #15. We have activities which invlove riding motorcycles, from overnight rides to safety classes, etc, and have recruited younger members to the Legion. ALR is a good recruiting tool for younger members.
I'm American Legion, and a member of the American Legion Riders, Post #15. We have activities which invlove riding motorcycles, from overnight rides to safety classes, etc, and have recruited younger members to the Legion. ALR is a good recruiting tool for younger members.
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SPC Travis Grizzard
It also gives us a visible presence, with the younger members out there. And Harleys aren't required. we have people who ride all makes and styles of bikes.
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I used to have membership in both organisations -- I've stopped going to any posts and I've stopped identifying as a member. The article that you linked, I feel, is spot on and my experiences tend to mirror those described by the author. I'd rather be part of the IAVA instead, and participate in organisations that look after my generation. That don't involve older generations getting drunk at 10am.
As for the notion that I should get involved in leadership of those organisations, to that I say no thanks. I'm not interested in fighting some political battle just to get a top-dawg spot to help change. Maybe that makes me a bad person, but I honestly don't give two squirts about politics. These guys don't represent me and they don't speak for me.
As for the notion that I should get involved in leadership of those organisations, to that I say no thanks. I'm not interested in fighting some political battle just to get a top-dawg spot to help change. Maybe that makes me a bad person, but I honestly don't give two squirts about politics. These guys don't represent me and they don't speak for me.
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SSG Tim Everett
My elected officials represent and speak for me, and I do actually take the time to call, write, and email when there's an issue that ticks me off. I even cross party lines because I don't affiliate with strictly Democrat or Republican.
I'm also equally represented by the IAVA as a lobby organisation, I know several of its leaders personally, and I occasionally take an active role in supporting the organisation. Several of the last few veteran-related issues have been pushed by the IAVA. I don't know what part, if any, that the American Legion and/or VFW played in lobbying for those issues.
I hope this clears up the issue. *ALL* of my experiences with those two specific organisations have been negative -- since I've ETS'd in 2004, I've lived in NY, SC, GA, MD, VA, and DC. If those are just bad posts, and it seems like the verdict here on this thread is split 50/50 pro and con, then I see no reason to continue trying to find that one good post. I don't intend to relocate just to find a good post.
I'm also equally represented by the IAVA as a lobby organisation, I know several of its leaders personally, and I occasionally take an active role in supporting the organisation. Several of the last few veteran-related issues have been pushed by the IAVA. I don't know what part, if any, that the American Legion and/or VFW played in lobbying for those issues.
I hope this clears up the issue. *ALL* of my experiences with those two specific organisations have been negative -- since I've ETS'd in 2004, I've lived in NY, SC, GA, MD, VA, and DC. If those are just bad posts, and it seems like the verdict here on this thread is split 50/50 pro and con, then I see no reason to continue trying to find that one good post. I don't intend to relocate just to find a good post.
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SSG Tim Everett
AHA! This is the post I made about it!
Gentlemen and ladies, I am eating my hat. I am eating crow. I drove past the local American Legion and saw them having a barbecue. Stopped in because I feel obligated to support. Was approached about joining when a guy noticed my memorial bracelet and my paracord bracelet in black and gold. I told him how I feel and he said "Have you been to our meeting yet? No? Well how can you say what it's like, then?"
OWNED.
I signed back up, went to a meeting, and managed to get myself assigned to the colour guard first time go. I regret painting VSOs with the same brush. I found a unique one, a good one, full of people that are not drunks and are awesome.
Moving out, drawing fire.
Gentlemen and ladies, I am eating my hat. I am eating crow. I drove past the local American Legion and saw them having a barbecue. Stopped in because I feel obligated to support. Was approached about joining when a guy noticed my memorial bracelet and my paracord bracelet in black and gold. I told him how I feel and he said "Have you been to our meeting yet? No? Well how can you say what it's like, then?"
OWNED.
I signed back up, went to a meeting, and managed to get myself assigned to the colour guard first time go. I regret painting VSOs with the same brush. I found a unique one, a good one, full of people that are not drunks and are awesome.
Moving out, drawing fire.
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1LT William Cozzolino
Fantastic! Glad it worked out so well and I hope you enjoy the color guard and that your post has many opportunities to represent veterans in a positive light to the greater community. Game openings are especially fun!
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I wanted to update this discussion with an article from the Military Times about VFW Post #1 and its vision to be relevant to the next generation of veterans.
http://bit.ly/1gPuEsV
http://bit.ly/1gPuEsV
Vision for a new VFW: The story of Denver's Post 1
Lightning arcs across in the sky in rapid-fire bursts of light and thunder. The first fat drops of rain are pounding down as dozens of combat veterans file into a rough-around-the-edges, turn-of-the-century warehouse building.
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