What would make American Legions and Veteran of Foreign War posts more appealing to join for you?

I have never been to a VFW or a AL post. Never felt the need to surround myself with a bunch of drunks, and that was the reputation all of them had. Even now, I am pretty much not interested in hanging around other veterans 90% of the time i encounter one of four kinds of vets:

1. the whiny bitchy Vietnam vets that whine they didn't get parades when they came home. Funny thing, I don't remember getting a parade when I came home from Iraq, but I don't whine about it.
2. Vets that lying about their service. Claiming they can't get rated because their medical record is classified, claiming to be a Vietnam veteran when they are not old enough to be, or lying about where they were posted.
3. Political vets that don't have a clue. Met a few of on Rally Point, some claiming stupid crap like the COVID vaccine is still experimental, or claiming Jane Fonda screwed over veteran's, or that democrats and democratic politicians don't like the military, etc.
4. Just plain but dumb fucking veteran's. That idiot in Arizona who died form brain cancer died because he was stupid, not because the VA failed him. If I was diagnosed with brain cancer I would be calling the VA every other day wondering where my appointment and treatment was, Cancer doesn't fuck around and neither should you. And if I couldn't get treated at the VA I would go to the local county ER and get treated through medicare. But what really irks me is when I am in line at the VA and some dumb ass is looking at the sign like he can't read the directions in front of him.

i can not imagine subjecting myself to that environment in an effort to have "fun".

I have friends from my unit I hang out with, but i guess that is a benefit of being in the Guard. We have lasting relationships. Sometimes we get a little drunk and make the mistake of talking about shit that happened in front of the wives or something, but for the most part we keep that shit squirreled away till we are alone. And it is nice to be able to talk to people who actually know exactly what you have been through because they were there. And it feels better to remember those lost when you are with the right people.

Getting shot at is easy to relate too, if you have been shot at. Command issues and command politics can only truly be understood by those you serve with.

And it feels nice when people who you served with tell you, you did the job right, when you have doubts about shit you did.

This is a question my VFW post continues to ask? We continue to grow because of active recruiting, yet not all participate and few are the young blood we need. Young members or would be members are busy making a living or raising family. The question is how do we pull their family in to make it easier for them to participate and enrich their lives along with the community.
I am not the youngest, but at 52 I am the youngest that takes part in everything and the only female who does. One reason is that much that we do is during the time younger people are working and having family time.
What each post needs to consider is what can we create or become involved in where VFW members can include, spend time with and mentor their children.
Sports leagues? Hunting clubs? Art groups? Fun events?
Maybe host a yearly sporting tournament, an art show, rifle safety courses, VFW family play days in the park ran like a unit day with different competitive events.
If we can provide family participation and create anticipation for the activities, then we will grow.
That means we will need to become Veterans of Foreign Wars (and their families). In doing so maybe we will help heal more vets and bond more families which strengthens our communities.

For me, they need to be less conservative.

Well, for one thing, serving on floaty things, I'm not a veteran of a foreign war.

I am a life member of DAV, and was a member of The American Legion, but the membership fees just got too high, and the post was not very convenient for me to access.

When I lived in the Antelope Valley (in CA) I was very active in DAV. My DAV Service Officer was the Chapter Commander, and recruited me when my service dates became eligible. I was very warmly accepted by the 'old timers'... In fact, even though I have no official documentation that makes me eligible to join the VFW, some of my chapter members who were also VERY active in the VFW wanted to find a loophole to get me in!

At the first meeting I was asked to be the Public Affairs Officer... a few months later I was elected Jr. Vice Commander, then shortly after that I was Sr. Vice Commander.

I have not been involved with my local DAV Chapter in Washington, not because I don't want to be involved, but they hold their meetings at 1300 on Friday afternoons... That may work for retirees, but not for someone with a full time job that has 'normal' business hours.

3937 in Long Beach Mississippi is the most welcoming Post I have experienced. We have members from all wars going back to Vietnam. All are welcomed.

I belong to the VFW, since 2005, and I agree with making it more family friendly and less about just a place for the members to go and drink. I know it varies from Post to Post but I have lived in 4 different states and gone to over 40 different posts and what I see most is the Bar and Bingo. They do help with there local community a lot but for the most part I see them not so much of a family environment and more so of just a member environment. There was one I have gone to many times when visiting a friend about an hour outside of Indianapolis and they had a great set up. Big yard outside with Deck, BBQ area, sand Volleyball, Basketball and Baseball fields. Plus a large area for younger kids with swings and play set. On the weekends there was definitely a large family environment going on and they had plenty of younger members joining. I heard more joining every year because of all the family stuff to do. Anyway that’s just my opinion and what I’ve seen at one Post But it worked.

Go Go dancers, Cuban/Dominican seed cigars, extended happy hours, live music and big greasy cheeseburgers with extra crispy fries and a Dos XX. just to name a few.

To have the VFW open to all members who went overseas or not

Not only are they unwelcoming, in my city, they are both sexist and racist. The last VFW I joined was a nightmare. I served longer than most of them, but I have found that most of them do not either have open minds or hearts. I am a LIFE MEMBER and I have found it doesn't make a difference. I have decided to confront them and let them know what's up. I will let them know that WE ARE ALL VETERANS and that even though THEY are dying, we are not, and hopefully I can speak with other veterans to start to support something that ALL OF US ARE ENTITLED to. Stand strong and I will let you know. Oh, by the way, let me know a number your people will pick up. Thanks.