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

Similar experience but this happened at a USO with three other Vets as we were returning and processing out from being deployed overseas for my third tour. When we walked into the USO we were asked if we were Vets, as we were here in the States and in our civilian attire as told by our CO to wear for our flights.

We showed them our CAC cards and they asked if we were retired military. We stated, no, however, we were just getting back from Iraq and this was in 2008 after a hellish year. If you recall, 2008 was during the buildup and the surge. Fighting was raging. I was with NSW and we had been in so many fights overseas - too many to count - and yet this guy at the USO told us we couldn't be in there because it was ONLY for retired military members.

I don't ever recall hearing or knowing that was a rule but I guess being in major firefights in Ramadi, Hobby, and Fallujah wasn't good enough for him. I just thought that it odd that if a SM had served from '76-'96 possibly missing an overseas deployment here or there but because he did his 20, three guys who've been in 8-12yrs, who just returned from multiple deployments and shot at, rocketed, mortared, and IEDs go off on our convoys wasn't good to sit in the USO to have some drinks and watch some sports on the TV. Anyone else ever experience this before?

I am very proud to be a member of VFW post 8785 in Mesquite, TX. Our success is due to our auxiliary partnership and open arms of our community. We to have female officers that are very involved in our post both from Desert Storm and OIF and OEF. Get involved.

You can only join the VFW if you were in a foreign war and the American Legion if you had any military service. We are working with local bands and the city to get them involved. We do Kareokee on Friday and Saturday night. The key is have guest sign-in. They tell their friends and great Service for all. Never had a Vietnam Vet tell me that. Without the Nam Vet you would have none of the benefits you have. Thank them for keeping their promise that another Soldier would ever come home and be treated as they were. THANK THEM!!!!

Thanks for starting this discussion, MAJ Hoover. The only way change happens in these multi-generational organizations is for the younger generations to get involved: volunteer, attend meetings and exercise their voice, and find a way to contribute. (BTW - I was "younger" at 50 years old when I started at my Post...) Don't take no for an answer. Shrug-off this "old-timer" stuff and persist! These organizations do enormous work supporting Veterans: thousands of dollars locally and billions at the National level, but most of it is the efforts of volunteers. BE the CHANGE. Lead by example. Being welcoming is a choice - simply be more welcoming! Honor all combat service, stop this "real war" crap. Admit all Veterans as Guests in your Canteen, even if not eligible to join. Our Post provides meeting space for between 8 -- 10 other local Veterans groups, at no cost to them. All Posts in my state (and nationally) are graded, annually for All-State and All-American status. These programs necessitate charitable activity in the community. It's going on - it may just not be obvious, or - a Post only has the energy (meaning, enough volunteers) to just survive, and not to thrive.

Nothing! I served in the Marines and the Army in Beirut Lebanon, desert shield/storm and Afghanistan. I went to the VFW, American legion, and AMVETS. All there treated me like crap with %100 Combat Related Retard. I got ambushed by the Walmart Scooter brigade about my rating. They know my rating from my FL DV TAG on my Truck just because I could walk down the Isles of Walmart. I won’t hold back against this BC but it’s funny I don’t get that treatment from my Dad and Uncles all NAM Vets. Only my Dad won’t stop calling me Jr. at 56.

The posts really don't do a good job of reaching out, nor do they make new members feel welcome when they do come in. I guess the answer is improve public relations. I have been a member of both for years. Yet rarely hear from the posts concerning meetings, events, challenges or goals.

Man, some of the relies below are disheartening. The name of the organization is VETRAN of Foreign Wars. It is not the VIET NAM veterans of foreign wars. It is also not the SHOOT 'EM UP veterans of foreign wars either. I think I'd be contacting somebody higher up the chain about your shoddy treatment. I'm sure they would like to know about any attempt to limit membership.

Does the American Legion allow those of us who served in Germany but were not deployed to battle during wartime? I had nothing to do with whether or not my unit was called.

Not my choice. I'd volunteer but there's no USO or VAMC nearby.

It’s endemic to the entire society. People aren’t joining civic organizations. On some level you would think that people from the military would seek that same family at when they get out but statistics don’t support that.