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Should Veteran’s Organizations Merge?
With 0.5 percent of American’s serving in the military that leaves only about 1.6 million people who have served that are alive today. The three big Veteran’s organizations which come to mind, at least in my area in the NE US are the American Legion, the Marine Corps League, and the Veterans’ of Foreign War. Each has their own membership requirements with the Legion seeming to be the organization that is most inclusive of all vets in the American Legion. The common thread that all veterans organizations share is declining membership and wondering why so many young vets are not joining.
While I don’t have an answer for that other than the possibility that many young vets see the various organizations as retirement homes where old Vietnam and WWII vets sit around, drink cheap beer and talk about their glory days. One issue I see is that maybe there is just too many organiztions fighting for too few vets today. While each organization has it’s own focus based on membership maybe it’s time to just say a vet is a vet and we are all getting a raw deal these days from the VA and from many others too. I think that combining the organizations is a sure way to ensure that any of these organizations continue to offer the services they do to veterans and to the communities they reside in.
With 0.5 percent of American’s serving in the military that leaves only about 1.6 million people who have served that are alive today. The three big Veteran’s organizations which come to mind, at least in my area in the NE US are the American Legion, the Marine Corps League, and the Veterans’ of Foreign War. Each has their own membership requirements with the Legion seeming to be the organization that is most inclusive of all vets in the American Legion. The common thread that all veterans organizations share is declining membership and wondering why so many young vets are not joining.
While I don’t have an answer for that other than the possibility that many young vets see the various organizations as retirement homes where old Vietnam and WWII vets sit around, drink cheap beer and talk about their glory days. One issue I see is that maybe there is just too many organiztions fighting for too few vets today. While each organization has it’s own focus based on membership maybe it’s time to just say a vet is a vet and we are all getting a raw deal these days from the VA and from many others too. I think that combining the organizations is a sure way to ensure that any of these organizations continue to offer the services they do to veterans and to the communities they reside in.
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
The American Legion
IAVA
DAV
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 66
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These VSO's have enough difficulty merging posts within their own organizations, let alone merging into one central organization. The AL and VFW is in reality a parent organization to charters and posts who govern themselves under national by-laws, as well as state and post by-laws. Most posts are merely "clubs" that follow established (and antiquated) rituals based on the ideology of its founding. This is why it has been difficult for these organizations as a whole to modernize. While one post may be vibrant and viable with youthful members in one community, there are hundreds more trapped in the 1950's with outdated activities, dilapidated buildings (if they still have one), and an aging membership that does not want to change. I would agree that merging posts into fewer, but more modern posts are a better option than merging organizations. Do away with the social club concepts of individual community posts an focus on centralized "posts" that are more diverse and pool resources.
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These VSO's have enough difficulty merging posts within their own organizations, let alone merging into one central organization. The AL and VFW is in reality a parent organization to charters and posts who govern themselves under national by-laws, as well as state and post by-laws. Most posts are merely "clubs" that follow established (and antiquated) rituals based on the ideology of its founding. This is why it has been difficult for these organizations as a whole to modernize. While one post may be vibrant and viable with youthful members in one community, there are hundreds more trapped in the 1950's with outdated activities, dilapidated buildings (if they still have one), and an aging membership that does not want to change. I would agree that merging posts into fewer, but more modern posts are a better option than merging organizations. Do away with the social club concepts of individual community posts an focus on centralized "posts" that are more diverse and pool resources.
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Not sure which way would be best. I served for over 30 years and a lot of changes during my time in. Some relate to this subject. By merging you have a bigger voice, but along with that there would be more in fighting on personal agendas of leadership. I think keeping them separate will allow for more diverse progression when dealing with current veteran needs.
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This organization open to anyone who is currently serving, or who has honorably served, in the US Armed Forces for World War II to the present, to include the National Guard and Reserves. On July 23, 1947, President Harry S. Truman signed Public Law 216. Since then, the original charter has been amended several times to admit as members those who served in different eras.
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Yes but with over 45 thousand vet non-profits it is very unlike that pure greed and confusion will overcome.
We need to focus on real local options.
We need to focus on real local options.
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I belong to American Legion, VFW, DAV, Marine Corps League, 1st Marine Div. I would like a Veteran organization that for all Veterans. That organization could be split us into different Veteran groups. Younger. I do not think any of the Veteran organizations would consider merging.
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TSgt Chuck Mankin I would say, no, only because I do not want a Monolithic beast, who becomes hyper-political and not acting in our best interest. That said, I would be in favor of the Mom and Pop Veterans Groups, who misrepresent what they can offer. Due diligence in these cases, yet the usual checks and balances on the bigger organizations.
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TSgt Chuck Mankin
I would agree with that sentiment because as it is there is lots of politics at the top. The 2014 speaker for the VFW National Convention was Joe Biden, 2015 was Obama. To me that doesn't show that you are representing the vets, it shows that you are involved in politics. Especially w/ the track record of the current administration as far as vets.
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I have always believed that with all different organizations we are defeating the purpose of our great organizations we are ALL for the veteran so why do we pull in so many ways
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