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 >1 y ago
Responses: 158
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No difference to me. I would NOT enter their establishment. Regardless. The VFW is for combat Veterans on foreign soils. Period. I am NOT a combat Veteran.
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This goes back to the question of "Should a Vietnam Era Vet be able to claim they are a Vietnam Veteran?" That answer is NO. If you didn't serve in country, you can't claim to be a Vietnam Veteran. A Vietnam Vet earned that name. He or she were exposed to the perils of war. A veteran who did not serve in a war zone can not expect to call themselves something they are not. The VFW goes back to 1899. It was founded by Veterans of the Spanish American war as well as the Philippine Insurrection for Veterans who served in those foreign wars. Once again a soldier who did not serve in a foreign war should not expect to claim they are. The American Legion does have the same benefits. You will find out American Legion members are just as proud as a VFW member. You will find the Comradery among members is the same!
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I know I don't know 'the' answer. I do know that my 'combat' deployment involved virtually no actual combat, but my sense of jeopardy at just being in theater, felt like I had merely stuck a toe into those dangerous waters, as I safely provided support for fellow warriors who were in the deep, with both painful and fatal consequences. I know barely enough to honor the rarefied pain of the physical, mental, and moral injuries that actual combat can inflict. In a perfect world, we would each find the best mix of comradery in such organizations, to receive and provide what we all need to heal and grow from such life changing experiences. Whatever organizational decisions/structures occur, I hope we each find a balance of those who can help us, and whom we can help.
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Years ago, I tried to join the VFW and was told I was ineligible because I never served "in country" despite flying missions over Viet Nam in B52's and duty in Okinawa, Guam and Thailand. I have documented combat time but wasn't considered eligible.
Years later they told me I was good to go. My reply..."Pack sand".
I was involved in Viet Nam, both Gulf Wars, the War on Terrorism and numerous other operations that took me overseas and put me in harms way.
When their numbers dwindled, they just looked at me as a cash cow for dues.
Not interested.
Years later they told me I was good to go. My reply..."Pack sand".
I was involved in Viet Nam, both Gulf Wars, the War on Terrorism and numerous other operations that took me overseas and put me in harms way.
When their numbers dwindled, they just looked at me as a cash cow for dues.
Not interested.
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It's name proclaim Its mission and membership. Only those who is a veteran of a foreign war should be a member.
I do attend various functions there.
I do attend various functions there.
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It’s named VFW Veterans of Foreign Wars for a reason if you served in combat you can be a member if you didn’t serve in combat you can’t be
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When I inquired about joining the VFW, since my American Legion Post where I was First Vice Commander, shared a building with them, I was told No. The American Legion doesn’t deny membership to members of the VFW. I served and retired from the Navy after 21 years, but was never stationed in a foreign war environment. I am not advocating that The VFW should change their admissions policy to include non-foreign war service members. The American Legion welcomes all veterans who have served during specific time periods, as demoted in the membership qualifications that they will share with prior service personnel.
DPC USN Retired 58-79
DPC USN Retired 58-79
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If they change their policy on foreign service then they should seriously consider a name change.
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This has appropriately been answered in the past. What’s in the name? Foreign.
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