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

I am a Gulf war, Iraq, and Afghanistan vet, I have been welcome in my VFW post and am currently the post cammander, and have been a district commander, our post welcomes all veterans. Most post are hurting so bad for members if a young Vet could get five or ten fellow young fellow Vets to join a local post you could take charge on in the next election cycle and make it what you want it to be.!!!
If you wait until all the older Vet's die off the VFW may not be around for you.

When I was young and applied, about 1970 (Vietnam vet) they never responded. Got the same story from other guys. We had the Fleet Reserve, but a lot of the social life in small town rural Texas revolved around those posts.

Generation Gaps are the biggest challenge...like any organization you take your time, get to know folks and find out EXACTLY what their issues are and address them separately. As far as addressing the, "I'm better than you because..." some folks for that brief time that is all that know, it was their life and it means that much to them (good or bad). You just have to deal with it the best you can...after time the bravado fades. Attacking them doesn't do anyone any good...it just takes time and involvement.

I am already a member of but, maybe having a smoke free area. Maybe a internet gaming room, getting rid of the outdated wood paneling, a coffee-bar. Make posts kid friendly.

50 years ago I went to the local posts. All I saw was a bunch of guys sitting around smoking and playing bingo. Since I don't do either of those things I didn't go back.
BTW, I keep telling this site I was not a corporal.

There’s a number of reasons but chiefly it’s a matter of relevance. I was married to a fellow vet and we were fundraising for WTU’s in the southeast and the local VFW of the town was very welcoming to me but had no idea how to process that my wife was an Iraq veteran also.
The magazines clearly cater to the older generation of vets. When a thirty something Iraq or Afghanistan vet sees the AL or VFW magazine and the back cover advertising is for grandpa jeans with elastic waistbands, you lose the attention and create a running joke.
The uniforms are kinda goofy and that’s something the current generation are very aware of.
There are other VSO’s out there with specific focus and missions. I’m a leader in the local TeamRWB, which brings veterans and civilians together in athletic activities. Team Rubicon, which taps into veterans skills and employs them for disaster relief. Just like in warfare, you stay relevant or you’re going to find yourself struggling to survive.

I enlisted in 1969, went through Basic and AIT. Received orders for Nam in 1970. Reported to Ft. Lewis, WA. Last minute change of orders took me to Korea instead. Spent 16 months 6 miles from the DMZ with North Korea. However, not qualified to join VFW.

Lifetime member - Stop smoking inside at every function

An old saying “one size doesn’t fit all” you need to try others. Every group is different. Here on the San Francisco peninsula we have a few that openly welcome others Veterans no matter when or where they served. A few are groups that sit at the bar and talk b.s.. that’s their only contribution to the post. They also are generally the ones who don’t accept anyone except their generation. Try other groups. Most AMVETS Post’s are a pretty good mix of ages. My American Legion post has a good mix from WWII to Desert Storm. The unfortunate thing is most young Veterans have a job and are raising families and feel they can’t give the time to get involved. The reality is most members only need to make one meeting a month to find out what’s happening and to ask/give input about post events. Most active post events (I find) are family events. You can always have your group of Veteran friends all join the same post and let your voices be heard. Speak up politely about being shunned. Show some initiative. That’s my two cents worth, good luck.

Stop requiring females to join separate auxiliary. Respect women who have served. My opinion is that it is an outdated system that does not move forward with the times. It should stop being a local watering hole for drunks to hangout too. It is sad that they are not being supported. Some of the older folks in both the legion and vfw in my town bend over backwards to help vets here. Some are not even vets but do the color guard as honorable as anyone. Very proud of them. As for family, here they did put on a veterans day show this year with a crusty old army truck and an ambulance the kids loved it. Perhaps it depends on the town or city and the effort to grow them. We were asked when we moved to town to run it but both of us are too tired commit to such a feat. It does take a lot to run them.