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

I served in the Navy from 75 - 80, was out there for the Iranian hostage rescue attempt I can join the VFW but not the American Legion, why not because I was not on active duty at a particular time. Spent 10-2 days at sea at a war footing on the Coral Sea but no American Legion membership. I joined as Nam was ending and was in the reserves when it ended. open up membership top all who served . PERIOD.

Don’t serve alcohol and make at least half the club smoke free. The ones I’ve visited are overrun with cigarette smoke and look no different than most bars.

Youngest son said He.. no to joining after serving in Germany, Hungary and Iraq. He said no one there wanted to hear his memories of serving and that his time at Camp Taiji Iraq was when it was closing down. He could not find anything in common with those vets. After three visits he just said F it.

I was told I was not qualified, having served for over six years but not in a war zone because we were not in a war between 1978 and 1985. Just the hostages in Iran and a skirmish on Grenada.

I never knew until recently that they changed the rules. Now they want me? Screw them.

I’ve never seen either group go out and recruit. Just existing and counting on a vet to figure out where a lodge is and feel wanted is not the best way to increase membership. I don’t even see brochures at the VA.

My husband attended a few meetings at the national convention, and said there’s entirely too much of a hangup on the minutia of wording, rather than actually getting the job done. He only one a few times, and said that was enough.

Myself a USAF veteran, 1964-10/1967 stateside, air/ground crew rigger, and Vietnam Veteran, 1967-1968...then my DD-214.
An FYI for you 'younger vets' having issues with (us) older veterans...us older veterans had issues with those who were older than US, back in OUR day...with the American Legion, VFW, and others.
MANY..in fact...THOUSANDS...of us Vietnam Veterans, nationwide...also weren't allowed to join the American Legion and the VFW...the WW!, WWII, and Korean War veterans called US...losers, baby killers, we were not in a real war...all KINDS of stuff.
THIS...even though WE had OUR campaign ribbons on OUR DD-214's to qualify for membership...the Vietnam Service Ribbon aka VSR, and the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon aka VCR
THAT...is a BIG reason us Vietnam Veterans formed the Vietnam Veterans of America, aka the VVA.
Soooo...us Vietnam (ERA) Veterans...BEEN there and DONE that.
One thing I'll say...I've spoken with MANY members of the American Legion and the VFW...and ONE opinion I share with them is that the younger generations of veterans MIGHT be attracted to join, IF...if the posts kept up with the new technologies that these younger men and women warriors use these days...the MANY (digital) games, technologies, whatever.
I'm just saying...many of US...have been down the same road you are traveling...NOW...

Since I am a member of both it's hard to say.

If the Post's are active and light on the bullsh☆t they will attract members.

Younger people going I guess. I don’t mind hanging with the older crowd but they are not all that welcoming sometimes.

MAJ Robert H. I'm a life member to both the VFW and American Legion, both for extended years (40 plus), as my career started at the very end of the Vietnam era.

I joined both organizations under the instruction of my father (Korean War Vet). But I felt like an outsider. After the Gulf War, I was invited in, but was still treated as a spectator instead of an active participant. I even asked the Local LEGION commander on two different occasions to get involved with their Honor Guard team given my experience of Honor Guard duty but not even a call back.

They have lost their directional guidance in my opinion.

Bob S