What is the best organization for a younger (GWOT) Veteran to join, American Legion, VFW, or something else?

2020-02-22T14:47:55-05:00

Distance from the nearest VFW and AL hall is about the same. Membership price is about the same as well. Looking for an overall consensus on organization for members. Would prefer an organization with a meeting place and not IAVA or DAV.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Feb 22 at 2020 3:04 PM

2020-02-22T15:04:26-05:00

I'm not a member of either, but I've been in a number of them. It's always the people that make the difference, not necessarily the organization. Some units are more political than others. Some units are very big into community service. Some units have a motorcycle group. Some have bars. Some are restricted and others are open to the public on a schedule. Bottom line, it will be whatever environment you feel comfortable in and that you get some return on your investment of time and effort. Up where I live VFW and AL are very small and both are run by a few who want to dictate how everything is done. They have no idea how to hang up the rank. So I'd recommend neither here. Results will vary elsewhere. Just start showing up at what's within reasonable driving and check them out. There's no rush in selecting.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Feb 22 at 2020 3:11 PM

2020-02-22T15:11:05-05:00

It depends upon the post, not the organization. I joined both the VFW and AL, and attended meetings. Neither worked for me so I switched posts. On the second attempt I found what I was looking for (a group dedicated to helping/serving veterans). It happened to be the VFW. It could have been the AL. But I allowed my membership to lapse in the AL and devoted myself to the VFW post I discovered.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Feb 22 at 2020 4:53 PM

2020-02-22T16:53:08-05:00

How far are you from a Team RWB chapter?

https://www.teamrwb.org/

Home - Team RWB

Team Red, White & Blue is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization with headquarters in Atlanta, GA. Team RWB's federal ID number for donations is 27-2196347.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2020 5:45 PM

2020-02-22T17:45:36-05:00

I think CPT Jack Durish has said it well. I can't say I felt as welcomed by the VFW early on and did better with the American Legion. I think the GWOT vets should be rubbing shoulders with the vets of previous conflicts. There lessons to be learned, stories to be heard, and is a great way to meet people from all walks. Service is rare and I think being around like minded warriors is important. The name on the sign out front is less important.

Response by LTJG Stephanie Thompson made Feb 22 at 2020 10:59 PM

2020-02-22T22:59:05-05:00

This is a great question and I'm happy to see that you are looking into joining one of these organizations. I wholeheartedly agree with CAPT Kevin B. that it is the people in the group that will make the difference for you. You might try going to each before you commit to one to get a feel for how their meetings are run, or how their events take place. Which place feels more at home for you? Which is more welcoming? One VFW I visited in my area had very friendly people with a generally welcoming atmosphere. However, the VFW post was a bar and the atmosphere was very heavy with cigarette smoke. While the people were friendly, I could not relax in the room...it wasn't long before my eyes started burning. I left much earlier than expected from what could have been a great time bonding with fellow veterans that have lived a much longer life than have I at this point. It was a missed opportunity for both me and the VFW post in question.

Several VFW posts in my area are trying to get more members of a younger generation to join. Much of the members are older, and they want to inject new life and modernity to their posts. You may consider playing a role in doing that for your local VFW or AL (though I'm not as familiar with the AL in my area). Once you decide which one fits your personality best, bring your energy to the table, as well, perhaps, as a fellow service-member or two.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Feb 23 at 2020 7:50 AM

2020-02-23T07:50:40-05:00

None. There are rip off. I am a member of VFW post 9951. I lost my DD214. The QM is a lazy ex ssg

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2020 10:12 AM

2020-02-23T10:12:03-05:00

Go visit the chapters near you. I didn't find anything appealing at the chapters near me. I hope you have better luck.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Feb 23 at 2020 11:20 PM

2020-02-23T23:20:29-05:00

Im a member of all of them- I prefer the Al, because they seem to try to do more in the community.

Response by SSG Dennis R. made Feb 25 at 2020 5:55 PM

2020-02-25T17:55:35-05:00

My experience with those organizations is that they are a great place to get depressingly drunk on cheap booze while listening to faux war stories embellished by years of exaggerations.
I've not been in one in decades.

Response by CH (LTC) Robert Leroe made Mar 1 at 2020 9:29 PM

2020-03-01T21:29:55-05:00

My town has a Veterans Council which plans events and does more than our local VFW & Am Legion. Visit your local organizations and get a feel for what they do.

Response by CPL Thomas Kendra made Mar 9 at 2020 3:37 AM

2020-03-09T03:37:54-04:00

You should at least Join the VFW to support an organization that is still looking out for your best interest in Washington. Without the VFW we Veterans would be in a world of hurt without the legislation that they lobbied for. They are the largest and most influential Veteran lobbying group in the United States and they become stronger with every new member that joins. I would say that if you want to help your fellow veterans and yourself join the VFW. There is no reason that you can't join a younger VSO that reflects your interest but you should consider supporting the VFW by becoming a member regardless. Younger VSOs are powerless when it comes to protecting Veterans in Washington but they are still a great place to serve your local community. Just do a search of Veterans Benefits and you will see that the VFW played a role in almost all of them.

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2022 4:47 AM

2022-02-27T04:47:44-05:00

I live in Florida, and I'm a life member of both the VFW and American Legion. I have not spent any time at either, but there are many posts for each in my area. When I retire next year, I will become engaged with both. They will need young blood in all posts nationwide since, sadly, the Vietnam and older era folks are passing away.

Response by SSgt Charles Dengler made Aug 16 at 2022 6:14 PM

2022-08-16T18:14:39-04:00

I would recommend you join both. The VFW is drawing members from a smaller pool since you have to be a combat veteran to become a full active member. These are the big 2 when it comes to fighting for our benefits in Washington D.C. If I had to choose one it would be the VFW, Veterans of Foreign War.

Response by SN Raymond Andrews’s made Aug 16 at 2022 11:13 PM

2022-08-16T23:13:09-04:00

I am a Vietnam Era vet, I joined our small town local AL over 40 yrs ago. Our big : events that we co-sponsor with the town is Memorial Day, Flag Day & Veterans Day. Our Post hall is used by 2 local AA groups for weekly meetings. We have a few other organizations that rent the Hall.
Rank has no priority, service to our community does.
We struggle to get GWOT Vets to join. Up until 6 yrs ago I was the youngest member @ 65. We now have a few GWOT members who have stepped up to help keep it Post alive.
The biggest challenge for our Post is membership . While we have over 50 paid members, only about 6 attend our regular meetings.
I would strongly urge vets of any age to join either AL or the VFW. The local VFW in the next to down closed down a few years ago due to lack of members. The town on our othe side lost their AL due to membership 2 years ago.
It saddens me that our great vets of this generation don’t seem to want to join either organization.
It will only be thru the GWOT vets joining either the AL or VFW that these great organization will be able to continue to be of service to our great nation

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2022 3:18 PM

2022-08-18T15:18:20-04:00

In my opinion VFW, because of my experience with my post. We are few who have served in combat zones. The American Legion is for all veterans. The VFW is only for veterans who have served in combat zones, or combat deployments.

Response by CPO Michael Barth made Sep 30 at 2022 10:16 PM

2022-09-30T22:16:06-04:00

I originally joined the American Legion in the 1990’s after active duty in the early 1980’s and was somewhat active with the AL.

After my Koran and OIF deployments our local VFW actively recruited me. Our post is very active in our community and recruits vets of all wars including women. It is difficult recruiting some OIF/OEF veterans and their families despite being welcoming to them.

We keep in trying though!

Response by SGT William Jackson made Aug 23 at 2023 4:42 AM

2023-08-23T04:42:25-04:00

I think either one is fine, were ever you feel you fit in the best. For me it is the VFW, and I am a life member of both.