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

I went to join the VFW once. walked in carrying my pistol and was told I couldn't carry there so I walked out... why should I want to join an organization where the first thing they ask of me is to give up my rights?

I did not join the VFW for the same reason I quit the Elks. Both organizations are mostly chain-smoking drunks sitting around reliving the war. The Ruidoso VVA is morphing into the United Veterans of New Mexico, an all-inclusive, family-oriented, service organization that is growing while the other veteran groups are dying. It should not matter when or where you served, your rank, or your job title if you earned and wore the uniform honorably.

All responses below are correct. I do not drink but I once went to our VFW because they had live music and dancing. They no longer have dances but continue to have drinking.

I joined a local American Legion and left after a month. I'm female, served in the US Air Force from 1972 to 1977 during the Viet Nam era but never went to "Nam". The comment about oh, but you never went to "Nam" is absolutely spot on. The fact that I was a woman meant they wanted me to serve as secretary or get involved with the "Ladies Auxiliary". I volunteered at a spaghetti feed and it was pretty condescending (We've got it covered). I also checked into the Band of Brothers chapter here and asked "why don't you make it the Band of Brothers and Sisters?" Chuckles from the member staffing his recruitment table at a local event. "Of course, you're welcome." Sure. Also, the American Legion with its military pomp and circumstance meeting exercise is pretty droll. I support honoring the MIAs but, beyond that, I left the service and that saluting/marching crap behind. I think it's stale and unnecessary. Local events? How about a kids' contest to "prove your patriotism" by writing an essay? Geezus. MAGA supporters have ruined that one. The AL needs an overhaul.

I was the youngest American Legion President in the state of FL back in 2017. Seeing a country icon dying in my town led me to step up to do something about it. After pitching my vision to the "elders" they voted me in. Together we restored the post, built a partnership and relocated a foodbank to the property, and brought the community together to install a community peach orchard. Afterwards, several of the elder Legion members started drama and the past Commander wanted his seat back - so I gave it to him.
One of the main reasons why the new generation doesn't want to join the older generation of Veterans is because we're tired of military politics, tired of being dismissed and treated insignificantly, and most of us are more interested in adventuring than sitting around drinking, smoking, and telling war stories. Albeit, the BIGGEST reason isn't the American Legion, VFW, or the like...it's because our generation has commitment issues. That's why we began requiring a membership to participate in adventures with the nonprofit 10 CAN, Inc. Our goal is to solve complex problems with a back-to-basics approach. Restoring ones' ability and desire to commit is helping prevent suicides, saving marriages, building careers, overcoming homelessness, enhancing health and morale, and reviving patriotism.

Both are places to drink cheaply. I went into one to join as my feather did when he came home from ww2. So when I came home from Nam I decided that's the place where my brothers/sister's hang out. Walked in and the old assholes at the bar asked "What do you want kid" I said to join the VFW one guy looked up from his beer and said what foreign war were you in??? I said I just got back from 16 month in NAM..He said that's no fucking war..it was a conflict ..NEVER SET FOOT IN ANY OF THOSE PLACES AGAIN .....NEVER!!!

I belong to both the VFW and American Legion.
Have a life membership in the VFW and my first meeting was my last one.
I was introduced and the COBIC - Cranky Old Bastard In Charge - immediately said "it's about time you young guys start pulling your weight around here".
Yeah, whatever dude.
American Legion was ok and I was good with volunteering for some work projects around the Post, couple of moneymaker events and things like that.
Post is a little rural one and has about 35 members but they just kept hitting up a couple of us for all of this stuff and I got burned out pretty quickly of that nonsense.
Tried another one and it was a bunch of old guys arguing about how to spend money.
I stay a national member as I like the magazine and info about veterans issues.

I've been a legion member since '86, enlisted in '68/ 3 yrs. After my Gulf War service, my brother said "NOW YOU'RE A VETERAN", sad, Don L USA RET

Last time I went to a VFW it was full of people smoking cigarettes like there was no tommorrow. Each area was a cloud of stench. Granted this was back in 2015. Not sure if things have changed since then.

There's really nothing these organizations can do to make me want to join them. They don't offer anything really to gwot vets. And not paying money for their company. My dues were paid with 20 years, 3 tours, 5 natural disasters.