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

When it comes to the VFW, I have run into the “you don’t know what a real war like Nam was to real infantry soldiers.” It took every ounce of control to not put his teeth down his throat. Of course my First Gulf War, East Africa Ops, 2 1/2 years in Baghdad, and my one year in Afghanistan meant nothing. VFW, go pound sand.

American Legion, no way, no how. I have given the local legion 3 tries. Each time I had multiple individuals say “ the Army wanted me to become an officer, but I turned them down.” If I wanted to pay dues to an organization full of alcoholics and blow hards, I would be a Shriner. At least they do something worthwhile.

Being a life member of the VFW and having been active in several posts I was turned off by the unwillingness to follow by laws they set, let alone National by laws. They say in meetings they want new blood to come in but as soon as a new guy comes in with modern ideas he’s ostracized.

The Legion is full of angry old guys who are mad because they aren’t you and at the same time because you ain’t them.

Less politics.
Less political backstabbing of veterans.
Easier use of services.
Treating all veterans equally.
LESS political crap (did I say that already?)
A feeling of being valued, and not being ignored.

Far too often in todays world, Veterans are met with suspicion and scorn based on how much they did in the service, vs serving honorably and being discharged with good merits. On top of that, Stolen Valor seems to be a core way to discredit people, regardless of why (minus real stolen valor). Then, you have the treatment of actual veterans by these organizations. They SEEMINGLY (i said seem, not do) treat veterans as if they are a pawn for promotion, profit, press, or some other gain. If you are not a gauranteed promotion and medal from the president for your work, it seems as if these organizations shrug off veterans and walk away.

I have been a victim of this by the D.A.V. AND the VFW. I am not a combat veteran. However, I did serve for a limited time, and left with an honorable discharge. I should not be treated like a leper (nor should any real veteran with a good discharge). Example given : It took me 21 years to get my butt in order, and 2 prison sentences after leaving the military with significant personal issues. How did I get help? I didn't. I was not important enough to help. I had to do all of my own work. And when I reached out for help, organizations basically just shrugged me off and passed me to someone else.

Treat us the way we deserve, or get out of the damned way.

The American legion post I know would welcome any veteran and has many community projects

I was a part of 2 legions. I'm coast guard pre and post 9/11. I walked away from both. The VFW was full of the "younger" vets like me but the anti terror missions I had kept me stateside. So I didn't qualify for the vfw...leaving me with the legions. What I found was a closed off...good old boys club. They had all grown up served with and live together their whole lives and were less than welcoming of new members unless it was time to wash dishes for the fish fry.
The activities in both legions were solely based on smoking drinking and playing cards.
I did neither of the three...so...I found other places to be.

It is ironic when Vietnam vets act out against current Desert Storm and OEF vets. Since a lot of VFWs didn't welcome them when they got out. However, I think a lot of this depends on where you are. As a VFW member for the last 4 years and having served as Service Officer, Jr Vice Commander and Sr Vice Commander I see a lot of younger vets aren't going for the same reason I didn't. It's a lot of old people that like things just the way they are and do not want it to change. Also many younger vets are starting families or are in the middle of raising a family so that takes up a lot of time. Plus there is the fact that sometimes you just don't want to remember shit and going in a VFW can bring back a lot of bad memories.
The only way the VFW will change is if younger members do join and become officers and commanders and push for change. It has worked at our post and those older vets that do not want change.... they bitch a little but in the end, they accept it. The change is for the better and to make the entire place better for everyone. For the vets and for the community.

I served active duty in the Marines 1985 - 2005, deploying to Kuwait/Iraq as part of 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Bn, 1st Marine Division in 2003. I’m a life MCL, DAV and VFW member. I’ve belonged to a VFW post in Chesterfield VA, and now Kenosha WI. I’ve belonged to a MCL post in Richmond VA, Harrisonburg VA, Louisville KY and now Kenosha WI. I initially joined these organizations when I retired from active duty in 2005, when I was 38-39 years old. I am now 55 1/2 years old. I have never been shunned ignored or had any hostilities with anyone, in any of these posts. Hell, the Chesterfield Post was so happy to see me I became a Junior Vice in my first few meetings. The same happened in Harrisonburg. The best of these organizations was the KY MCL (1st), Richmond VA MCL and Kenosha WI VFW tied (2nd), and Harrisonburg VA MCL and Kenosha WI MCL tied (4th). I rank them according to inviting, unity, engagement. In these organizations since 2005, I have mainly Vietnam Vets, then Iraq/Afghanistan Vets, then a few Korean and maybe a couple WWII vets. Now, I’m an introvert type person, and with my PTSD, and can even do better without people all together, but, I can have great conversations when engaged, and I’ve never had any issues with anyone. Now, you may say well, you’re 55. Yes, I am, but, I look much younger, so many could take me for having just retired, even though it’s been almost 17 years ago this August 31st. On a positive for me, I have managed my 17 years since leaving active duty, and in so, have communicated with all levels and all ages, which makes it easier to interact with older Vets. I look up to them and what they’ve done and been through and use each conversation to learn something from them. With younger folks, I do the same, as well as look for teaching or coaching them on something in a conversational kind of way.

Also, if you’re a female combat vet !!

I am a life member of the American Legion. I joined via mail while on active duty basically because my son was involved in the pellet shooting program. I went to a couple of events but could not really get involved because of kids and work. I was turned off by the amount of drinking at many events such that I would not take my family.
After retiring, I moved to Chapin SC area and saw the Legion was involved in the community so my wife (a vet) and I joined Post 193. We have been active now for 3yrs. Female vets make up few of our members but include three of the post officers.
The post is very well known and respected in the community. We have been growing those 3 yrs and are in the middle of a building campaign. We do the traditional bingo night that is well attended by the community, mostly older folks. We have a veteran only breakfast Monday morning that all vets are welcome. Memorial Day we partnered with the town to do a memorial service and reception at town hall. The last few years have been well attended.
We appear family friendly in our activities but there are places we can improve. The current small building we occupy limits expanding activities. We now have a Pavillion on the property where our new building will go. That will give us room to plan family events in the near term.
Here is the Mission of the Legion: "The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans." Most of the encouraging comments I've seen on this post fit within this mission.

BTW, I was just elected Post Commander so now I have the ability to expand on our good name. I appreciate any constructive comments to help me take or Mission and turn it into a vision for supporting Veterans, families, and the community.

The Two VFW's I was associated with i.e. one in North Carolina and the other in Missouri unfortunately had too many alcoholics who when tanked up had a tendency to lash out and cause disturbances which were condoned by the VFW staff. It was not my idea of a welcoming place and not what I had expected! After one incident from a Vietnam Veteran who thought he would rip me apart about my service and after I had to let him know I would not take it I left the VFW and haven't been back since. He cussed me out and the staff just stood there . I had done nothing to him and when I let him have it the staff became offended i.e. with me ! No thanks!