Why are fewer young Veterans joining Veteran organizations (VFW, American Legion) post military service?

I would like to say as a Commander of Post 3619 in DeRidder, LA, I had the same issue with getting new younger members involved. So I started my campaign on what is the VFW doing for our Veterans of Today. In the 2012-2013 VFW calendar year, our post of about 326 members (at the time), GAVE BACK $48,000 in one year to our community programs, needy veterans and veteran services. $48,000! I was actually off by about 13,000 when I was doing quick math in my head. That year we made All State, this past year, we were All State and All American, by increasing our membership by 73 people. This was due to bringing in some more active duty members, getting them involved, participating and just being part of our family. Most young people think of the VFW as a place where old guys go to drink beer on Sundays.....does that happen? Well yes, but it is so much more. Membership is about numbers that are represented in Congress when trying to get Veteran Related issues passed. Between all of the organizations, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, AMVETS and such, we have a great voice on Capitol Hill.

This is an issue that all the service organizations are facing. The bottom line is that these groups (VFW, American Legion, DAV, AMVETS, etc.) are our primary voice in Washington and provide representation through accredited Service Officers in the filing of VA Claims.. as the local posts struggle and die off, these program become in danger of going away. Membership starts at the local level. These posts need to start reaching out to our younger veterans to get them (and their families) involved.
Before anyone starts, yes, I understand there are numerous posts out there 'stuck in the dark ages' that don't want to change things.. but it's going to have to happen if they want to keep their posts alive and 'young blood' is the only answer.
All it takes is to get a few younger members and allow them to help 'tailor' programs to attract more... it CAN be done, it NEEDS to be done. The services these organizations provide (Nationally and Locally) are needed but can't continue without membership.
As a message to all of you younger vets on this site.. at least TRY to get involved at a local post... give them fresh ideas, it doesn't take much time! PLEASE!

Wow what a wonderful discussion. As the Commander of a VFW that has a very large percentage of OIF/OEF veterans I find this conversation enlightening... as matter of fact of the 11 elected officers of the post 8 of them are OIF/OEF vets, myself included. Many of you stated that you were turned off by the "old timers" unfortunately I have seen this firsthand... I finally found a post that had open arms towards the younger vets. Living south of Chicago I can drive 20 min in any direction and run into at least 10 posts, most of them I am sure are on their last leg. They just don't "get it." As for the younger vets on here that do not belong to a VSO, please join one. Its a numbers game in Washington and its just like in a fight... he who has the most guns, wins... you should see the list of resolutions from the VFW National Convention that the organization is going to push on Congress, many of them are geared toward helping the new generation of returning warriors.

You do not have to belong to a particular post, there is a member at large option. You will receive the same benefits as a member of a post... Car Rental Discounts, Life Insurance, Magazine for the Organization, Etc. but no matter what you have to try, you have to fight for what you want, nothing is free in this life. Do not be discouraged because of one bad experience at a post.

As others have stated in previous comments... I am going to take this thread to a higher level in the organization and hopefully there can be a change that will benefit both parties.