Posted on Aug 2, 2023
What do you think about the "Veterans of Foreign Wars" (VFW) one day changing their policies to include veterans with no foreign service?
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The VFW which is appropriately titled "Veterans of Foreign Wars" has been a topic of discussion for many of today's Veterans. Should they one day changing their Policies to include Veterans who do not have a Overseas or 'Foreign' Way on their DD214. This has been an issue or at least a question for a long time. Veterans who serve do so at the whim of a detailer who sends them where needed. Many Marines I served with Volunteered for Afghanistand and/or Iraq dozen of time to no avail. In many cases they were 'NEEDED' elsewhere due to their expertise in a 'non-combat' field or MOS. One in particual was a Black Belt Marine Corps Martial Arts Program 'MCMAP' Trainer and trained new Officers at the OCS academy where young Lieutenants went to train and learn their 'Combat' skills. He was never allowed to deploy due to his expertise and eventually got out of the service without a Foreign Deployment through no fault of his own but now he is 'Penalized' for not having a Deployment. He has been told to 'Go join the American Legion' but all of our freind groups are VFW...
Deployment
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) - Afghanistan
South Korea
Posted 10 mo ago
Responses: 99
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Because of technology you can be a combatant w/o leaving the CONUS. THE REQUIREMENT FOR JOINING VFW IS A CAMPAIGN MEDAL.THE SPACE EXPEDIONARY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS. VFW IS HURTING FOR MEMBERS THAT'S WHY THEY PUSHED THROUGH THE KDSM
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I joined the VFW in 1969 when I returned from Vietnam. At that time it was run by Veterans from the "real" war (WWII) with a few Korean War vets. At the post where I joined there were 3 Vietnam Vets. I hate to admit it, but the main reason we joined was where we lived, the bars were closed on Sundays and we wanted a place to watch a ball game and enjoy a few beers. I remained a member for a number of years until the started allowing non-members to come in and use the club. That soured me. Especially when we would hear all the excuses as to why they had not served.
I have not been back into a VFW for about 20 years now. Guess I don't really have much to add to the debate. IMO, if the club is not going to be exclusive, then why even have the club?
I have not been back into a VFW for about 20 years now. Guess I don't really have much to add to the debate. IMO, if the club is not going to be exclusive, then why even have the club?
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Most of my military times was overseas, five and a half years to be exact but I don't qualify for the VFW because I didn't serve in a foreign country during the wars that I served during. I wasn't in Panama nor the Persian Gulf during the ORIGINAL war there. I have heard about another veteran who is a member of the VFW even though she didn't serve in any foreign country. What are you considering to be "overseas"? Should Navy veterans who were "near" Vietnam on ships but not actually in the country qualify for the VFW?
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My father, a WWII combat veteran with a DFC and Air Medal w/3 OLCs, refused to join the VFW because they didn’t admit all veterans.
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I never heard of this! All the qualifications to apply at a VFW is you were involved in a overseas conflict.
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Nope! I am a retired Army 1SG with over 20 years but never saw any actual combat. I would not insult the VFW by attempting to join.
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The American Legion is there for vets who have military service. Any veteran qualifies for membership so long as the requirements of the charter are met. Even those vets who qualify for VFW membership are eligible for Legion membership.
It seems that each state has a charter for VFW posts, all of which refer back to the requirements of the National Charter. That being the case, I strongly suggest one become familiar with the charters, both state and national for the definitive answer to this question.
In the end, we're all veterans who served where we were most needed at any given time during our tour. Is the distinction REALLY that critical?
And, before you become critical of those REMFs, remember that if they weren't there, you would not have received mail, rations, and all the things that go along with accomplishing your assigned mission.
It seems that each state has a charter for VFW posts, all of which refer back to the requirements of the National Charter. That being the case, I strongly suggest one become familiar with the charters, both state and national for the definitive answer to this question.
In the end, we're all veterans who served where we were most needed at any given time during our tour. Is the distinction REALLY that critical?
And, before you become critical of those REMFs, remember that if they weren't there, you would not have received mail, rations, and all the things that go along with accomplishing your assigned mission.
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This is getting confusing.
"Overseas or 'Foreign' Way on their DD214"
I have "overseas" duty on my DD-214. I am not eligible for the VFW. I was a bit late for combat in Germany. And I would not claim eligibility.
"Deployment" ?
When I served. 65-68. We had: Going overseas. Stateside duty. Or going to Vietnam. No deployment. Today. If I said I was deployed during my service. Some would think I served in Combat. Negative.
I had a grade school classmate that was shot and killed on the Korean DMZ. Is he eligible for the VFW.? Posthumously, of course, if there is such a thing.
And finally. With all due respect to the Major. The question is not phrased properly.
"to include veterans with no foreign service?"
Should read:
"to include veterans with no combat zone service?"
"Overseas or 'Foreign' Way on their DD214"
I have "overseas" duty on my DD-214. I am not eligible for the VFW. I was a bit late for combat in Germany. And I would not claim eligibility.
"Deployment" ?
When I served. 65-68. We had: Going overseas. Stateside duty. Or going to Vietnam. No deployment. Today. If I said I was deployed during my service. Some would think I served in Combat. Negative.
I had a grade school classmate that was shot and killed on the Korean DMZ. Is he eligible for the VFW.? Posthumously, of course, if there is such a thing.
And finally. With all due respect to the Major. The question is not phrased properly.
"to include veterans with no foreign service?"
Should read:
"to include veterans with no combat zone service?"
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I joined the American legion while stationed At Fort Campbell. We had no choice of being deployed or not. I could have joined the VFW as both my farther and grandfather both served overseas. Gramps in France WW1, and my farther in Korea. Both were drafted. I enlisted. To be honest I could care less as long as they serve the needs of Vets I'm for them.
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