Posted on Jul 21, 2024
What will get you to join the American Legion?
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I am a Commander with the American Legion in Arkansas. I have been put on a committee to find what it would take to get younger vets (50 and younger) to join the American Legion. I would like some feedback on this.
Posted in these groups: 
The American Legion
Millennials
The American Legion Millennials
Posted 5 mo ago
Responses: 32
There's been a few similar questions like this posted over the years on RallyPoint and they all have a similar theme in the replies: younger veterans don't feel welcome at VFW's and Legions. It's viewed as the place where older male veterans drink beer away from their families and complain about politics and younger veterans. They don't feel welcome because of how they've been treated by the older folks, how their views/values don't align with the existing members, the services and mission of the legion's don't align with what younger veterans want, etc. Additionally people under 50 have a ton of stuff going on in their lives already - kids, family, careers, personal health - and to get them to take on yet another obligation will take some serious convincing. To get me to join a Legion, they would need a serious rebrand from top to bottom.
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Nothing with our local chapter...went a couple of times to check it out and it was nothing but boozed up chain smoking filled room and I was there to be seen and not heard. So I never went back. Turn it into something meaningful with a real purpose other than drinking and bingo. Good men and solid brothers but it really needs a huge makeover.
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Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth
SPC Matt Ovaska - Doesn't matter what rank you wore...I wore both...officer and enlisted. We are brothers as veterans. Rank be damned. We have more in common than you think.
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SPC Thea Gove
Sounds like an inferiority complex. Don't judge everyone on an unpleasant experience. Everyone is an individual as well as a member. This Lt Col took the time to reach out to you. Take advantage and do the same. You will never know unless you try. No offence meant. I served and I understand your sentiments. Over the years I have gained a lot of wisdom and I just wanted to share it with you. Peace be with you.
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MAJ Byron Oyler
SPC Matt Ovaska - Many of us started enlisted and in my case, I started as 17yo jr in HS, signed by my Father who is of your generation, and an enlisted medic in Vietnam. None of my blown up enlisted patients had a problem receiving care from Army Nurses.
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You need a way to reach them and convince the younger Vets why they should. What that is, it's going to be different between Vets. I joined the VFW, am a Lifetime member and I haven't been to a meeting in years. Turns out the Post Commander got outted for SV. I stopped going. Between this possibility and lack of incentives listed.... the youngers just aren't interested
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