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

I got so turned off by how many treated “us” younger WAR veterans… and saying how better they were etc. and all they did was sit around and BS… I think doing a little community service or just not down talking would be a start.

What would make these organizations more appealing? First, a more welcoming atmosphere. The old lines about what was a "real" war have worn pretty thin. Nam guys being hard younger guys because WWII guys were hard on them will not get you younger members. It would also be helpful if someone in the organization could help fill out VA claims. Most of your members have successfully filed VA claims. Why not help out younger vets. DAV is all over the place with ads for this service. Where is the VFW? Most of the VFWs I have visited are more about drinking and war stories than anything else. These are just the views of 40 year Army vet with multiple combat deployments. Maybe you and COL Swegel can figure it out.

Last one i visited had drunken bigots that degraded a few of us.

I agree. I think they need to be more than just a neighborhood bar for vets to get together and tell war stories, though I am not opposed to this. I think that posts could organize activities to benefit local vets (building ramps, repairing homes, visiting shut-ins, shopping for groceries, getting them in touch with community resources, etc...) to make them more relevant. I also like the idea of being seen outside the veteran communities, and partnering with non-veteran agencies so people see what veterans can bring to the table.

As well as being told that I am not a real veteran, as some have suggested, I have never experienced that but would challenge the very idea that my service (spanning 25 years) was somehow less valuable than that of someone who served in Vietnam.

Awesome question, Major Hoover!

MAJ Robert H. Thank you for this post!! I literally just sent it on to every member of my executive team (I am the current Adjutant) at the American Legion Post 15 here in Loveland Colorado. We have had this discussion SO MANY TIMES and have no answers. I am fortunate in that my post has BOTH the VFW (Post 41) and my Legion post under the same roof. We understand how the younger generation from the GWOT is coming back home, and starting families and don't have the "time" required to be active members. That doesn't mean they shouldn't want to join, but we here do our best to make them ALL feel welcome!! I agree with so many of the comments in this thread already. I wish I could wave a magic wand and get everyone involved. As you stated, so many of the Korea folks and now NAM folks are dying that it is concerning. I am on our clubs Honor Guard and am honored to present colors and rites to those who have passed. Our club has a Non Profit called the Associated Veterans of Loveland (AVoL) and our honor guard is made up of both VFW and AL members and the AVoL pays for all our uniforms, flags, Bugle, and ammunition. When you work towards a common goal, things become simple. I will be following this thread in hopes of someone coming up with an answer!

I am a Vietnam vet. I had the same problem with WW2 and Korean vets. I am no longer a member, but I believe it has to do with the war each fought. Each war is different, and the older generation has less in common with the next. I think integrating the wars into a common enemy with a common theme would help. I believe Major Hoover was correct in his assessment that more involvement with other groups as families or helping homeless children, etcetera.

I agree. There is little diversity, few younger men and women wanting to join, they are right in feeling as though their service and experience is not as valued as older members. It takes every service member to make these associations successful. Everyone who has served should feel valued, welcomed and actively pursued to join and keep the organization growing. We are veterans first and regardless our life choices we should be accepted.

There's a comment below that VFW and Am Legion posts are not welcoming new members.
BULLSHIT.
I haven't heard of that since the '80s (Vietnam Vets).
We are busting ass to recruit. When only 1% of fresh high school graduates join the military, It's very hard to recruit. We even pay first year dues for newbies.
I am the adjutant of our AL Post and the surgeon (and former commander) of our VFW Post. And I am a lifer for both organizations and some others.

This is a tough one that doesn’t have an easy answer. It seems that post Vietnam servicemen don’t care to hang out in a bar. Unfortunately, the bar remains their central attraction.

The VFW is exclusive and a tad bit snobbish. I'm a 30 year vet with no deployments. That wasn't by choice, just lucky. I tried the legion but all they want is dues. The scamdemic showed they are self serving and useless to me. I'm watching my country crumble and neither patriotic organization seems to care. F'em all, I don't care what happens to them. I do care for the country but that's just not popular I guess.