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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First, I think a "foreign deployment" is very different from a "foreign war." That said, when I was growing up most of the adult men in my town were either WWII or Korean War vets. They all belonged to one or the other and membership was so large they did a lot of community events. The American Legion Park hosted the Little League baseball diamond and the 4th of July Festival and fireworks, for example. I noticed a big decline in membership after Vietnam and we all know why. Currently the post I belong to can't attract new members. The Desert Storm/Iraq/Afghanistan vets seldom sign up, or, if they do don't come around very often. So perhaps it is this decining membership that is the problem. If so then both organizations need to improve to become more relevant to younger vets. Changing the basic membership rules will do nothing to stem the decline.
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Historically, the VFW was organized about 1900 in Denver, CO, largely for veterans of the 1st Colorado Volunteer Infantry Regiment which served in the Philippines 1898-99. It expanded nationally before WW1 for Sapnish American War vets who had served in the Philippines, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. Only later did the VFW start to admit veterans of WW1 and expanded their membership criteria to anyone who had served overseas in any conflict.
The American Legion was organized in Paris, France in 1919 for veterans of the "Great War. Different group, different criteria for membership. As private organizations they get to set their own membership requirements except for unconstitutional ones (gender, race, creed, etc.) While similar they do have somewhat different goals.
The American Legion was organized in Paris, France in 1919 for veterans of the "Great War. Different group, different criteria for membership. As private organizations they get to set their own membership requirements except for unconstitutional ones (gender, race, creed, etc.) While similar they do have somewhat different goals.
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I was instructed years ago by a National Officer of the VFW. Though I served and never deployed overseas. I should join the American Legion and because my dad was a VFW member I could join the VFW Auxiliary and by doing so I would double the lobby power of my memberships. I have done so since 1980.
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Fraternal organizations are all struggling to attract members. I am a life member of the DAV because their service was invaluable when I was discharged and seeking VA compensation for a gun shot wound. But I have never set foot in a DAV meeting place. Nor have I gone to a VFW.
All these organizations (not just veteran oriented) need to do all they can to get people in as dues paying members. Or they will go out of business.
All these organizations (not just veteran oriented) need to do all they can to get people in as dues paying members. Or they will go out of business.
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I was in Panama for 18 months and 2 TDY's in Vietnam, including the Saigon Pullout in April of 75. I'm a member of the American Legion and will not be renewing my membership. Why? Because of two reasons. One is the only time I hear from them is to sell me life insurance or similar. The second reason is that I requested to be transferred to my local branch. Never heard a peep out of them. We have a local VFW but they can't even keep up with their website and other events. I'm not one to spend time in clubs so I'm not worried about either one. I do believe that the VFW needs to open up to regular veterans.
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I retired after 20 years of service, 7 deployments and stationed 2 years overseas with one of the deployments to Bosnia. I was not welcomed at either the VFW or American Legion when I approached both. Apparently, my service was not deemed worthy of their organizations. A little bitter but channeled that energy into my family and children's schools. Their loss.
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The name implies vets of foreign wars. If you didn’t serve in combat you shouldn’t be allowed to join. That’s why there is an American Legion. Go join that instead
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In my opinion as long as one served during war time such as a Vietnam Era Veteran then that should do it. Most VFW posts are losing members so why not accept war era Veterans. Or perhaps just have the American Legion for all.
From a personal point of view having done search and rescue and boarding duties in the USCG 1963-1967, many if not most of us put our lives on the line every day as mother nature was trying her best to kill us. I tried to get Vietnam duty but they wouldn't send me. The Coast Guard had 8,000 people in Vietnam.
I am a life member of AMVETS, no posts anywhere near where I now live, so I rejoined the American Legion.
From a personal point of view having done search and rescue and boarding duties in the USCG 1963-1967, many if not most of us put our lives on the line every day as mother nature was trying her best to kill us. I tried to get Vietnam duty but they wouldn't send me. The Coast Guard had 8,000 people in Vietnam.
I am a life member of AMVETS, no posts anywhere near where I now live, so I rejoined the American Legion.
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I guess it's up to them. I did not deploy to war, but I was in Germany for the end of The Cold War for 2 1/2 years. I will always be grateful to VFW Everett, WA for helping me process my claim for disability even if I can't join.
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