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
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I agree it is a difficult place to go.. You're having a hard day you shouldn't go there because no one will care.
Asking for help for anything is like talking to a brick wall. You're better off just talking to a brick wall at least you know you're not getting anything because you are
Talking to a Brick wall Unfortunately they're not all the same some regions are better than others.
Asking for help for anything is like talking to a brick wall. You're better off just talking to a brick wall at least you know you're not getting anything because you are
Talking to a Brick wall Unfortunately they're not all the same some regions are better than others.
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Working to... in a word - no. Not hard enough. Sadly, the VFW National, State and District leadership focus is on "100%" membership - meaning, attain the same total headcount as the year before. It is NOT focused on any specific goal for young members. My Post is in FL, which is a retirement state mind you, but just to give you and idea: out of 1,000+ members, we have 47% that are 75 years old or older. We have almost 20% who are listed as 90 years old or older!! We have only 25 members who are under 35, and 112 total who are under 55. So - as a "young" member (53) and Post officer - I'm making this my focus now. I have re-started a Post FB page, trying to program some new activities here for Post-911, and reaching out to our existing young members to try to find out what they need/want to see us doing! Team RWB is great (I am a member) but their focus is almost 100% on physical fitness. They are very active here, and a good group - but they aren't positioned to interface with the VA (with a trained Service Officer) like we are, or to organize resources to support local Veterans in need - like we are. Yes... there is a lot to be done to modernize these aging VSOs, and we really need the DS/DS generation to step up!!
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The local VFW and American Legion in my area are very unwelcoming to women who have served. The average age of members seems to be over 65 and the current leadership doesn’t seem to care about reaching out to younger veterans. I live within 30 minutes of Military city USA (San Antonio, TX) so this is a shame.
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Wow, I keep hearing all of the "The VFW is too political", and I am confused on what they mean. Maybe, here in Louisiana we are just not seeing it? I just don't understand what everyone is talking about. Last week the National Commander in Chief of the VFW, sat in front of Congress and worked on Veterans issues. When he/she does that, they are working for all VETERANS, not just members of the VFW. Same with the national commander of the American Legion. These young organizations popping up are great for local fun and gatherings, but they don't have that same voice in front of Congress that gets stuff fixed for VETERANS. I have yet to see in my 13 years of membership in the VFW, any Post, District, State or National officer ever nominate, stand behind or politic for any candidate. Just don't get it.
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My post is mostly Vietnam generation, but we have WWII, Korea, Desert Storm/Shield and some GWOT. It's so important to do outreach in the community so people know who you are. My Post Commander is amazing about outreach and making others feel welcome, which is essential if you want them to join.
If you don't click with the people, try another Post. When you find a good one (like mine), the camaraderie is outstanding.
If you don't click with the people, try another Post. When you find a good one (like mine), the camaraderie is outstanding.
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I supposedly do not qualify for either. I served during the only Peace Time in our recent (1985-1988) history and not long enough in the Guard during 9/11.
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Suspended Profile
I worked for four years at the local DAV Chapter Service office in Olympia WA, until my headaches got too severe to work. Most of our Chapter are Vietnam or older vets. We have a very small number of post 9/11 vets in our chapter.
I think this is perhaps a symptom of the Ethos of the younger generations. I think it's incumbent on the leadership of the VSOs to do outreach to younger vets and lobby them to get involved... We certainly know who they are - we file disability claims for many of them every day.
Another reason the younger folks aren't getting exposed to the VSOs is the Warrior Battalion and the way disability claims are handled right now. Most troops at EOS/Retirement/ETS are processed on base/post, so they never learn about the offsite VSO locations, unless their claims fall apart...
I think this is perhaps a symptom of the Ethos of the younger generations. I think it's incumbent on the leadership of the VSOs to do outreach to younger vets and lobby them to get involved... We certainly know who they are - we file disability claims for many of them every day.
Another reason the younger folks aren't getting exposed to the VSOs is the Warrior Battalion and the way disability claims are handled right now. Most troops at EOS/Retirement/ETS are processed on base/post, so they never learn about the offsite VSO locations, unless their claims fall apart...
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In my case I do belong to the American Legion and to the paid for life program however I haven't officially requested to be part of my local post because I heard that smoking is permitted inside the building and I'm a anti-smoke person. I heard it is the same case in all of the other Legion posts.
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SN Alan West
Roberto, perhaps others feel the same way about smoking inside the building but have never said anything because "that's the way it's always been." Taking an informal poll amongst the members might yield an opportunity to change the smoking policy or at the very least have a frank discussion about it. Thanks for taking the time to add to the discussion!
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SFC J Fullerton
SN Alan West - From what I have heard, its almost impossible to ban smoking when the majority of the bar patrons smoke. They will get mad and threaten to never come back and not pay the dues to renew thier membership. The bar business will die without its regulars who smoke. Smoking bans get voted down for this reason. Sounds like a double edged sword for these groups. Damned if you do and damned if you don't.
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LTC Derek Gaudlitz
As a recent retiree & OIF/OEF veteran I wasn't too interested in our local Am Legion post or VFW, but I was encouraged to attend & discovered that our local post is community service focused with no bar, no smoking & great members.
I am now the 2nd Vice Commander & proudly continuing to serve my community.
You can make a difference & influence change of you are willing to step up & take the challenge.
I am now the 2nd Vice Commander & proudly continuing to serve my community.
You can make a difference & influence change of you are willing to step up & take the challenge.
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I'm not, the only organization i belong to these days for fun is my local lodge. American legion and VFW seem to be way to politicized for my liking.
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I'm a member of the VFW, but am most active with DAV and PVA due to the direct outreach
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