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

Why don't people join? Well, actually, an older (than me, at least!) member of the American Legion recruited me in California. I was in uniform and at the exchange. Thought that was great! Well, I moved on to Florida (where I retired) and the post in my town called to make contact. The fellow calling said no drinking or smoking at the post, and I said that's great, exactly what I'm looking for. We talked a little about my career. I said I had enlisted in the Navy and then (and here's where the guy's tone changed) I said I had earned my commission after 11 years, and now I was an O-4. "Oh, an officer." And so, I'm thinking "really?" Never mind that I'm a veteran of OIF, not just hundreds of miles offshore, but right up the river in Iraq. So, I figured if a bunch of old guys long gone from the military are gonna be uncomfortable in the presence of an officer (i.e. can't get over it), no need to ruffle feathers. Oh yeah, after I retired, I figured there was probably no need to assume that was going to change...I don't need that whole "officer-enlisted thing" going after I retire. I put my pants on same way as anyone else. So I still haven't renewed my membership and have found other volunteer causes that can use my talents and don't ostracize me because of my career path. Other than when I present my retiree ID at the base gate to go to the commissary, I am just "Bart," thank you very much.

A lot of good points so far!

My experience with the long-standing VSOs have been not positive. A lot of the VSOs have this mentality of they have to be the Knowledge Brokers for all Veterans, and if you show any level of knowledge on benefits or Veterans Services, they cut you loose and essentially shun you. They don't want Veterans who will ask questions and try to grow their own knowledge base. This generation of Veterans have social networking, and the internet in general, at their instant disposal and can seek the information out for themselves. The problem is the VSOs, the VA, and the State Veterans Departments, have all of their information scattered and buried in their sites, making it hard to find all the information.

There are a lot of bloggers (myself included) that have made it their mission to make the information accessible and in one location. Lots of sources have decided to make all the information accessible for everyone, and all in one place. The Old School VSOs don't like it, but they need to wise up to the modern Veteran.

http://www.veteranbenefitresourceguide.com

https://www.facebook.com/VeteranBenefitResource

I know this will sound harsh, but sugary words don't hide perception. when faced with perception, reality is irrelevant.
VFW = grey beard drinking club with ashtrays on every table
Legion = grey beard drinking club with ashtrays on the table and funny hats

I know, there is a lot more to both organizations, and I have at one point been a member of each, and have visited several chapters.

Both organizations do great work in Washington, and without them we would be in serious trouble. Most vets under 40 don't give a crap about Washington, they want a job, a place to live, and the company of fellow veterans to whom they can relate. WWII and VietNam stories are cool to hear, but better to spend time with someone who shares your war.

If you arent active on social media these days you are irrelevant. I just checked three local chapters, 2 VFW and one Legion. All had some kind of meal special, pictures of people over 65, a patriotic message or two, somebody selling something to Vets, and 2 of 3 had a Valentines Day message.
Put yourself in the shoes of a 25 year old Vet who is underemployed and lives in a ratty apartment, riding the bus because he can't afford a car. He has to be helped before he can help others. Now go to local VFW or Legion facebook sites and look for something relevant to him.

I am a 100% disabled veteran and I don't qualify for membership in the VFW. Since I wasn't in a war theatre I don't meet the criteria. They need to allow all veterans. No matter where you are stationed the threat is there. I was active duty during the gulf war in 1990-91, stationed in Hawaii. We were in high alert the entire time. My brother-in-law is a member of the VFW and I can only join the Auxiliary.

Because we are treated as second class citizens by the Vietnam and Korean War vets. The racism doesn't help either.

Well, I do not rate the VFW, but have been a member or the legion do 12 years. I do not go as I do not feel the need to sit in a smokey room while drunk old men ignore me.

From my perspective, it's a lot of convoluted reasons, and they'll be different for everyone. For me personally, I tend to be anti-social as I find socializing exhausting. I've been a member of clubs and frats and what not in the past, and I grew tired of each of them. As such, I've lost pretty much all interest in joining anything in the future. And I think this is a minor insight into one of those "convoluted reasons" I mentioned. A lot of my generation were raised by parents who pushed them into countless extracurricular activities, clubs, etc. I don't know whether that's how it's always been, but it seems like that's how it was for us, at least in my little world that I grew up in. Being involved in 3, 4, 5, or who knows how many extracurricular organizations at a time, for the entirety of one's youth and adolescence, is exhausting. You get tired of it, you just want to be free of it, you need to have some free time to be able to do nothing. Maybe I'll (we'll?) come around in a few years or a decade, but I would reckon I'm not the only one who's currently burned out.

One of the other "convoluted reasons" I can think of is the perception of these organizations being "just a bunch of old guys". I know some other people on this thread have mentioned that as well. Fortunately for organizations such as the VFW and American Legion, they have the power to change this image and appeal to younger folks, even though it'll be difficult.

But there'll always be the guys like me who, while I support what these organizations do, joining a post just isn't for me. I'm now reading below from MSG Wade Huffman that one can join as a "member at large". That's definitely something an anti-social, fed up person like me would actually be prone to doing, so I would think advertising that option more and making it more prevalent is a good COA for orgs looking to boost their numbers.

Because we are broken financially and emotionally by the time we get to the point of joining.

The problem is that there are so many other organizations popping up all the time. Instead of working with already existing programs, new ideas have formed in the way of just making more organizations.

It all started with the first gulf war and the military's push for more service members and veterans to go to college. At first there was just a military rep on a campus, than colleges wanting to get veterans more involved, started their own clubs and organizations on campuses. No almost every campus has some kind of veteran organization or program.

Than with the new wars, young soldiers returning and seeing older members at the VFW's, AL's and DAV's soldiers felt that they could not connect, so many younger soldiers instead of working to improve things started their own organizations. Organizations like the WWP. In my area alone we have the WWP, 911 vets, combat paper, VFW, DAV, AL, 5 veterans programs on campuses, Post 911, a motorcycle veterans group, a PTSD group, not to mention the country and state veterans programs.

At the end it all gets confusing, vets can get some services from one organization and other assistance from other organizations, but how many organizations can one veteran belong too? If I joined even the basic organizations in my are that benefit me I would need to join 4 organizations, as a veteran that lives off my disability that means about 120.00 in dues. That is a lot of money for a vet.

I am very active in our Veteran organizations but feel it is time for them to make changes if they want their legacies to live on. I go out of a sense of duty, responsibility and respect but I am from a different generation (age 46). My grandfathers were instrumental in my life so I want to give back. It isn't always exciting or rewarding but I do value the relationships I have built. I personally feel like these men and women paved a path for me and I owe it to them to have their backs when they need me. I do think there are a number of reasons that younger Veterans don't get involved in the VFW/American Legion type of organizations. 1. VFW/American Legion aren't doing enough to attract the younger generation. They aren't learning the culture or changing with the times. There meeting places are not attractive and are often reminiscent of the "good ol'boys club". 2. The meetings are boring and drag on. There isn't always a sense of purpose or advocating for things that are important to the younger generations. 3. I have experienced discrimination in some groups where they are happy to have younger women participate but refuse to put them in a position of Leadership or authority. Women are Veterans too! They served, sacrificed and did their part. Why would they want to join a group that doesn't value their service? There are also a small minority of men who still view women as chattel and treat them as such. Younger women Veterans don't want to be around a bunch of dirty old men. Most men I have worked with are great but there are a couple that I have had to put in check which is not very comfortable situation to be in especially if you are an MST survivor 4. There are more exciting programs/organizations that are being developed that speak to the younger generation of Veterans such as Team RWB, Team Rubicon and Wounded Warriors to name a few. 5. Most of the younger Veterans have families, work full time jobs and don't have time to attend meetings during the week. 6. Younger Veterans aren't being asked what they value, what is important to them, what do they need in order to help them readjust to civilian life. They want to be a part of a "team" where their thoughts and ideas are valued and where they feel there is some common ground. 7. I think if the younger generation of Veterans were approached differently they would be more willing to step up to the plate - ask for their help. Ask them to share their stories. Give them a sense of purpose and show mutual respect. I think both groups could learn so much from each other if given the opportunities. Our older Veterans could gain their attention by inviting them to hear one of the more dynamic speakers share their stories about sacrifice, perseverance and overcoming obstacles. Create connections that count.

I hope this information proves useful.