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

I believe we effectively skipped a generation of Veteran mentors. WWII had WWI, Korea had WWII, Vietnam had Korea. The current generation, while fighting the longest war our nation has engaged in, has no one to bridge the bi-generational gap from Vietnam to GWOT (not taking anything away from the Gulf War I). It’s a problem not just with mentorship (I’ll explain in a second), but the reason that we’re not seeing as many MOHs. Today’s leaders aren’t quite sure what qualifies because their generation never experienced it. There’s the problem statement; a Generational Gap.

The VFW, AmVets, American Legion, many have experienced this ‘gap’ in membership. Last time I pick up a VFW magazine, I saw adds for Velcro dress shoes and clip on sunglasses. To begin with, they need to modernize their marketing. I understand that it may affect their baseline target audience from a business perspective, Vietnam era vets, but as those vets move onto Vahalla, the organizations have to transform. Ten years ago there was no impetus, but unlike Smith Corona who never changed (never heard of them, there's a reason not; google their demise), I believe the vet organizations are beginning to realize the need for change, or at least grow their base.

But if weekly medication tray advertisements is the face of the vet’s groups in magazines, it’s no wonder we are killing ourselves at a rate of 22 a day. I explained to my friend Jeff, we (vets in general) used to be able to go down to the VFW hall, sit on a stool, drink a beer and exchange stories with someone who was 10-15 years our senior. It was mentorship and support. We’d tie a few on, gripe about friends we lost, and through a shared misery, we would norm what was a horrific and traumatizing experience. You would know that you were not alone. There was someone you could call. These guys are older than your 20-something year old vets’ dads. No one wants to gripe to their Pop. AN fewer want to go hang out in a (some are) smokey bar. Not this generation.

That said, they CAN capitalize on the vets through imaging. We all are familiar with the Patriot Riders. We know a Vietnam Vet with a bike. I don’t have one, but that is the image I hold. These guys are not your pop. They are tough, they were shat on by a country when they returned. And they have been the driving force to ensure we were never treated like them. They hold an amazing amount of respect. It needs to be leveraged.

My 8 and 5 year old sons met the Vietnam Vets at the Vietnam and Korea memorial at 0600 on a Sunday a few months back. We were jogging the Mall that am and stopped to help. We pitched in cleaning the walls, trimming the hedges in the Korea War Memorial. They were grateful to see that not just my generation, but my sons’ were being raised with the right values. It was a teaching opportunity for me to my sons on why I always tell Vietnam Vets, “Welcome home” instead of “Thank you”.

Sorry. A little disjointed, but the bottom line is to modernize marketing and leverage the image of the Vietnam Vet who did what he was asked by a country who didn’t acknowledge it at the time. I think part of us (modern vets) are so used to being spoiled, it is good to touch base with those for whom it wasn’t so. Sponsor Vet motorcycle mentorship rides. Clean up opportunities in the community of our memorials with current and older vets. ***See if they can get themselves invited to the local base dining in or mil ball functions. ***Take an office call with the Garrison Commander and talk about how they can help on base. ***Office call with the medical treatment facility commander to see how they can help with suicide abatement.

All these would go a long way. Sorry so long winded.

I am an Iraq War veteran. From my personal experience, It can be cultural awareness. Some posts treated me well with welcome arms, others did not let me enter the post even with a paid membership card. I decided to complain to the state chapters of the American Legion and Veteran of Foreign Wars. He said that Vietnam vets did the same thing to World War II vets. Also there were racial tensions during the Vietnam War. Some Vietnam Vets may have not gotten over that. The other reason I was told, was that because of low membership, they begin to accept non veterans to fund the post. The non veterans sometimes themselves are not culture aware of not only the military lifestyle but racial inclusiveness of the military. I chose to become a member of IAVA. Race is less of an issue.

This is a good thread and I wanted to throw in my two cents worth. I am a County Veteran Service officer in South Florida. I am a life member of the DAV and a member of the local American Legion. I do several speaking engagements at various organization posts (AMVETS, VVA, VFW, DAV...) a month throughout my county. I see an unfortunate trend in all the service organization posts I visit. They all seem to be stuck in the 60's. All the posts I have visited are dark, dank, filled with cigarette smoke and resemble a corner bar from 1967. If we (I share some responsibility) expect the younger generation of Veterans to become a part of our organizations we need to reflect their point of view. A post needs to look more like a sports bar and less like a hunting lodge. Additionally the organizational bickering needs to stop, there are over 400 Veteran service originations out there and they all want their peace of the pie. DAV folks say they are better than the VFW, VFW folks say they are better than the VVA, the VVA says they...well, you get the idea. We need to unify! There are 65 million Veterans in the US, all the Veterans organizations combined spent less lobbying congress last year than the NRA (4.5 mil members). No slight on the NRA, I'm a member by the way. Gun enthusiasts have a unified voice in Washington, Veterans do not. That's why gun control advocates have so much trouble pushing their agenda, and Veteran issues get lip service. Younger Veterans understand this and want a real voice not a hodgepodge of rhetoric. Times change and our Veteran organizations need to embrace change if they are to attract the younger Veterans. Sapper 5, Out.

I have been a commander of our local VFW Post 1498 and a member of American Legion Post 1450. In some ways part of the issue in getting younger members is to be found in making the experience in the posts enjoyable. There is a very real generational issue here that will not be solved unless we are willing to listen to young veterans and what they want out of these organizations.

All too often we carry on as if everything is going well, but the truth is that unless we actively engage in bringing in our younger veterans, these organizations will cease to exist.

I agree the younger veterans should join the VFW, American Legion, Amvets, ect. I am a proud member along with my husband of VFW 1136 in Wyandotte, MI. I love talking to the Viet. veterans because that us what my dad was. I remember when me and my husband went to the post for the first time to join and pay the dues. The ladies overheard we were married and talked to me about joining the Ladies Aux. They were surprised to find out that I was a Persian Gulf, Iraq, and Afghan veteran. My husband and I love the VFW so much and what they stand for we also joined out districts honor guard. I think that after deployments or when the service member gets out of the military there should be some mention of these great organizations.

WHOO!!! This is awesome!! I appreciate everyone's input and comments! I posted this question, so I could go back to my local Legion and VFW with data and outside POVs. Thank you again for the overwhelming response and different perspectives! Keep doing greatness for our country, and let's take care of each other, in and out of uniform! AATW!!!

All VSO's are designed to help support veterans and the community! I have been a member of the VFW for over 20 years, I just recent joined the American Legion also, for a couple of reasons!!!! The VSO's also represent us in Congress when need be. The more members are in the organizations, the bigger their voice is and can be heard!

I am a past Post Commander of VFW 9985, along with several positions held in the Post and District. I am also currently the Senior Vice Commander for VFW Post 9770 and Post Athletic Officer for American Legion Post 95. My VFW is in Brownstown, IL and the Legion is in Vandalia, IL. Plus, both Posts work together in supporting each other. We do military rites together all the time, and so forth.

One person can make a difference in a Post, also many of the Posts do need younger blood to keep them going.

I believe a common issue with younger veterans, is time! When you are raising a family and working, your time is limited in giving and/or be active in the various VSO's. I know that from experience as many do, as you get older and toss your kids out of the house. Retire do to age and/or disabilities, you find more time to become active.

My VFW Post, we various ages throughout it. At 51, I am the Senior Vice, our Quartermaster is a young lady who is about 27 as a couple of examples. Our Post Color Guard ranges from the ages of 28 to 79.

My American Legion Post is prominently gentlemen over the age of 70 plus. The Senior Vice is 64 and I am 51, he and I are looking at ways to recruit younger membership.

Thing to remember, membership has gone down in many of these organizations due to less qualified members/veterans that can join. After WWII we had millions of veterans who were there, then Korea, and Vietnam, came along right after each other! Which kept membership high, do to the high number of people that served at those times. The draft was in place all those years till 1976.

Since after Vietnam and the end of the draft. There have been a lot less people who have served in the military then before 1976. And many of those that have served and were members of the various VSO's are passing away at a alarming rate now.

I think that after Vietnam the Vets didn't have the support that we have coming out of deployments and military service. Not that things are perfect here but we're generally pretty appreciated. Whereas the Vietnam vets needed a place to go and have some support and being able to do so over a couple of beers doesn't hurt.

honestly it never occurred to me to even join.

My biggest constraint is time. I was a member in the American Legion and American Legion Riders when I was stationed in San Antonio.... when I moved away from San Antonio a couple things happened.... 1. local chapter does not have an American Legion Riders group 2. I was disappointed in myself for lack of involvement....my time is limited due to family obligations. I do not want to "join a group" and not have any meaningful participation. Family comes first, work comes next....with those 2, I have very little time left over for a "third: organization participation".