Between the American Legion and the VFW, which is the better organization to be a part of, and why?

SGT Calvin Arend — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 13:57:15 -0400

American Legion or VFW? Which is the better organization to be a part of and why?

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Oct 28 at 2019 2:02 PM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 14:02:51 -0400

Both are good, the American Legion has a larger recuiting pool since the VFW requires having served in a combat zone.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Oct 28 at 2019 2:11 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 14:11:37 -0400

Honestly, it depends on the post. I have belonged to both but am now a lapsed member of the American Legion, and active in my second VFW post. The first VFW post didn't fulfill my need. It didn't provide the opportunities I was seeking to serve other veterans. None of the AL posts did either. I'm sure my experience would be different if I lived in a different area of the world

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2019 2:20 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 14:20:49 -0400

I am a life member of the VFW but have never been to a post. I recommend finding out more about what the local posts are involved with.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Oct 28 at 2019 4:00 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 16:00:40 -0400

Depends if you like to drink... my friend liked to go to the AL post to pick up women.. if your combat deployed ... join both.

Response by SPC Angela Burnham made Oct 28 at 2019 4:59 PM

SPC Angela Burnham — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 16:59:50 -0400

This is just my opinion, and I know it's an unpopular one but it's how I truly feel. I don't support either organization. When the government was in the process of repealing DADT, both the Legion and the VFW took the stand at capital hill and fervently fought against it. They threw every single gay, bisexual, lesbian, and transgender soldier under the bus and never even said they were sorry for doing so.

Then they did it again during the latest controversy with transgender service members under serving under President Trump. They don't have my back, they don't want anything to do with service members like me. If I walked into a AL or VFW lodge presenting as a female then I'd be lucky if they even let me sit down at the bar and order a drink. My service didn't matter one iota to them, so I refuse to fund them in any way.

""We feel strongly that the current policy has served the U.S. military well for 17 years and it would not be wise to make a major cultural change. Allowing homosexual members to announce their preference within the ranks could jeopardize the unit cohesion which is so essential to military success." -American Legion National Commander Clarence E. Hill

That's still their official policy too, according to this statement on their website:
https://www.legion.org/legislative/point-papers/90629/dont-ask-dont-tell-policy

As for the VFW:
"Repeal advocates are focused primarily on pushing a social agenda about individual rights. National security, unit cohesion and morale are the furthest things from their minds. This social experiment could spell the end of America's all volunteer military, which is not a price this nation appears to be willing to pay." -National Commander Richard L. Eubank

Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy | The American Legion

The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2019 7:57 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 19:57:10 -0400

No experience with the AL but I'm a life member of the VFW. Can't speak on the VFW nationwide as I've only been at one post, but as for my local post I have a lot of respect for them. They're very active in the community. They do a great job at helping veterans and the community in general. I've had the opportunity to network with a few of them, particularly one key member of my post is my county commissioner.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Oct 29 at 2019 12:23 AM

MSG John Duchesneau — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 00:23:46 -0400

I would say that neither is better. Its more a question of which one is better for you. If you are looking for differences the major ones are 1. the American Legion has broader eligibility requirements (ie. any honorably discharged Veteran can join) whereas the VFW requires that you received a badge or medal for overseas service (they like to say combat service, but, strictly speaking, it isn't), 2. The VFW is more bureaucratic than the Legion. If you are a leader in a VFW Post you have to make sure you do the quarterly financial report, have an annual inspection with about 30 items on the checklist and adhere to a number of little rules as laid out in the VFW Manual. The Legion lets each post manage its own affairs and doesn't bother them too much. 3. Membership renewals and life members. In the VFW annual membership renewals are centralized so the member pays his due to National. In the Legion dues are paid to the Post and the Post Adjutant sends the renewals up to the Department (State) HQ for processing. The VFW has reasonable rate for life membership ($410 at age 31) whereas the Legion charges your current dues rate and assumes you will live to be 90. (i.e. If you are 30 and your Post's annual dues are $30 you will pay $1,800 for a life membership. No joke.)
Like I said at the beginning. The question isn't which one is better - the question is which one is better for you. Join both and decide for yourself.

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Oct 29 at 2019 9:47 AM

LCDR Joshua Gillespie — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 09:47:01 -0400

I've been a member of the Legion for about four years now. Currently, I serve as our Post's adjutant, and work regularly with the VFW. Every Post is different, as is every Department (state level); depending on location, number of members, activity level, and community involvement... experiences can vary widely. Those of us who've served in the last two decades have fewer "complications" based on the entry requirements for either (and with new regs passed this year, there are fewer for other veterans too). The old jibes about it being a place for card playing drunks are (in my opinion) a bit dated... and certainly not the "norm". I'd suggest you attend a couple meetings of both and get the "feel" for what's going on there, then decide if it's for you. I will say that younger members tend to find a warm welcome (and lots and lots to do)... as the Legion is trying hard to recruit new blood.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Nov 11 at 2019 7:46 PM

MSG Danny Mathers — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 19:46:21 -0500

Depends on the post. However, the DAV is best with helping with divisibility claims.