Posted on Aug 7, 2014
Should Cold War Veterans be allowed to join the American Legion and the VFW?
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Posted >1 y ago
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I am not into organization politics, so I see no need to waste my time with silliness. I can join the AL but have not mostly because I am so busy with Vets-Help.org. VFW has rules I disagree with on a fundamental basis.
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Cold War veterans are
Allowed to join the American Legion. The Legion is
Open to any honorably discharged veteran. However the VFW Was
charted by Congress to be a veterans organization specifically for those who served the nations wars overseas. That is a paraphrase of the charter. You must have received a expeditionary medal to include the Berlin service medal and the Korea service medal to be eligible for
Mbership in the VFW
Allowed to join the American Legion. The Legion is
Open to any honorably discharged veteran. However the VFW Was
charted by Congress to be a veterans organization specifically for those who served the nations wars overseas. That is a paraphrase of the charter. You must have received a expeditionary medal to include the Berlin service medal and the Korea service medal to be eligible for
Mbership in the VFW
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LTC Joseph Gross
The AL does not welcome all veterans. There are specific time periods of eligibility. The VFW does not require an expeditionary medal but rather a campaign medal.
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SGT (Join to see)
Here are the time periods Colonel Gross mentions above:
Aug. 2, 1990 to today (Gulf War / War On Terrorism)
Dec. 20, 1989 to Jan. 31, 1990 (Panama)
Aug. 24, 1982 to July 31, 1984 (Lebanon / Grenada)
Feb. 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975 (Vietnam War)
June 25, 1950 to Jan. 31, 1955 (Korean War)
Dec. 7, 1941 to Dec. 31, 1946 (World War II)
April 6, 1917 to Nov. 11, 1918 (World War I)
Aug. 2, 1990 to today (Gulf War / War On Terrorism)
Dec. 20, 1989 to Jan. 31, 1990 (Panama)
Aug. 24, 1982 to July 31, 1984 (Lebanon / Grenada)
Feb. 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975 (Vietnam War)
June 25, 1950 to Jan. 31, 1955 (Korean War)
Dec. 7, 1941 to Dec. 31, 1946 (World War II)
April 6, 1917 to Nov. 11, 1918 (World War I)
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SMSgt David Zobel
The Korean Service Medal wasn't instituted until 1996 - though it was retroactive from that date to 1954. I retired in 1995. I had two tours in the ROK, but the medal is not in my military records. VFW would require me to get a correction to military records in order to join. Oh, well. I work at the VA and am with fellow veterans five days a week. That's cool enough for me.
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Yes, indeed they should. I am a PUFL member in the American Legion, but was told that I could only be a Social Member of the VFW because I did not serve 30 days in an overseas combat zone. I served 3 years in Germany which supposedly doesn't count.
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SPC Kevin Burgess
yeah i got the same BS even with 7 years overseas, doing maneuvers monthly able to see the soviets eye-to-eye just on the other side of the river. And yeah, Red Brigade terrorist bombs nearly took out me and family members twice in that period..but that's not 'combat'. Oh, I had more than 30 days in a 'no-fly' zone, after GW part 1, but Iraq back then doesn't count as much as Iraq for the last decade.
i don't care, the local post booze is cheap anyway. i only go there on days when i just can't stand non-prior-service civilians. A few service related tall tales, then i'm back in CONUS.
i don't care, the local post booze is cheap anyway. i only go there on days when i just can't stand non-prior-service civilians. A few service related tall tales, then i'm back in CONUS.
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PO1 Thomas B.
It's just the opposite for me. I received the Navy Expeditionary Medal for my ship's deployment into the Persian Gulf during the Iraq/Iran war in 1981 which qualified me for the VFW, but I am not eligible for the American Legion as I did not serve during the established dates (yet they keep sending me invitations to join).
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PO2 Pete King
PO1 Thomas B. - I am in the same boat. Served on the Ricketts (DDG-5) in the Gulf and have been a member of the VFW for many years. I cannot join the Legion.
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Why would we want to? VVA and IAVA developed their own groups for their own needs-what kind of statements are those?
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This makes me asks more questions. I am reading the comments and wonder many different things. I can't help but to get a sense of inclusion from this. I understand that the Cold War was not a tradition war but would military service during such an era be on par with service in Vietnam?
In addition to this would a soldier serving right now, during the GWOT and never deployed, also be able to join the VFW? What is the difference?
I understand there are many veteran groups out there. Some are more targeted than others. I don't see much of an issue with AL. But if the VFW wanted to limit those who are members to those who actually served in the military in a Foreign War I don't see an issue with it. I don't think that serving in the military is the same as serving in a combat area. It doesn't mean on is any less honorable but the nation ask more from those who are in a combat area in a war zone.
It reminds me of the Ranger Association. They have a regular membership and a associate membership. There are different levels of membership. I think that is a good way to put it to rest.
In addition to this would a soldier serving right now, during the GWOT and never deployed, also be able to join the VFW? What is the difference?
I understand there are many veteran groups out there. Some are more targeted than others. I don't see much of an issue with AL. But if the VFW wanted to limit those who are members to those who actually served in the military in a Foreign War I don't see an issue with it. I don't think that serving in the military is the same as serving in a combat area. It doesn't mean on is any less honorable but the nation ask more from those who are in a combat area in a war zone.
It reminds me of the Ranger Association. They have a regular membership and a associate membership. There are different levels of membership. I think that is a good way to put it to rest.
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SSG Tim Everett
I'm going to disagree -- strategic intelligence collection, for example, played a vital role in helping keep the Soviet threat at bay. A lot of that was done stateside.
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Cold War Veterans can join the American Legion, unless this is some sort of exclusion...the difference I thought was no combat experience, you're stuck with the American Legion. VFW is for combat vets only.....Am I incorrect?
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LTC Joseph Gross
AL eligible is serving during a time period of conflict. VFW is slightly more restrictive. Here it is from their website. If you have received a campaign medal for overseas service; have served 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days in Korea; or have ever received hostile fire or imminent danger pay, then you're eligible to join our ranks.
One thing I would point out is this has nothing to do with government proclamation, the VFW is a private organization and they set their own rules.
One thing I would point out is this has nothing to do with government proclamation, the VFW is a private organization and they set their own rules.
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LTC Joseph Gross
One more thing. Cold War Veterans are not eligible to join the AL. Your must haves served during a period of conflict.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
I was told they take pretty much anyone that doesn't qualify for the VFW...wow talk about leaving a large group feeling unwelcome for their service. That may have just been a post policy....Sounds like AL needs too hear from some veterans, quite loudly.
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SP5 Joel O'Brien
I have commented on this topic before but feel obliged to post again. I served more than thirty days in West Berlin(1973-1976). I shot at no one and no one shot at me. According to the requirements, I qualify for membership in the VFW. I am a PUFL member of Post 10506, Berlin, Germany.
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