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

I think young veterans are simply becoming involved in different organizations. For instance Team Red White and Blue, Team Rubicon, The Mission Continues. These organizations have the mission to help veterans during the transition in a slightly different way. We get lots of projects to do, respond to disaster sites, engage in group runs/workouts, attend outdoor camps such as rock climbing/trail running. It's just a different beast, and offers something different than the VFW, etc.

What it would take to revitalize Patriotism?

This observation is in response to general questions I observed in prior discussions: I am overwhelmed by the amount of questions formulated by active duty personnel as well of veterans. This leads me to conclude that information is not disseminated well, from knowing that one can join the American Legion while still active to becoming politicians when released from active duty. I personally believe the urge to wanting to be and belong to something more than a service member is lacking…, that sense of pride of being Patriotic has diminished or maybe was never there. This degradation is probably due in part, that most military members today join to complete schooling and or to get an education. Other factors could be lack of 110% commitment to study war and the fulfillment of military obligations as a career.

Solution to the above may be alleviated with orientation; good pep talks from the Commander, Executive Officers and or Officers in-Charge on the subject of Patriotism. And in transition, SEPARATIONS must be able to implement programs that revitalize the outgoing with patriotic enthusiasm and to ensure that all members leaving the services are well informed of the different organizations they can become part of. In so doing, may lead to the increase of members to organizations such as the American Legion and to Congress having more than just 20% of veterans in its rank and file…. Also, in so doing, may eliminate all questions in between, such as the saluting of the flag to how one should answer or feel when folks try to ridicule one with obvious questions.

I went to a local post after coming back from OIF-II, in 2005. The local post was very welcome to GWoT vets, technically, but they old Nam guys and older looked at me like I just stepped off a spaceship whenever I walked in.

I went to a couple meetings, and what struck me was how "churchy" it was. There was a prayer to open the meeting, a prayer at intermission, a prayer to remember fallen Comrades, and a prayer to close. It was more-or-less non-denominational, but that's not the point-- If I want church, I'll go to church. And I really can't listen to too many hotdog feeds, chili cookouts, and bingo games being planned before it all sounds the same.

It's too bad, because these organizations could be so useful to a lot of returning vets.

I have found that the current members here by my home are not quite into Females being "full" members. They say go join the Auxilary. Hence why I do not belong to these organizations.

I am a life member the VFW. People need to join. I recently transferred to a chapter which has not contacted me since my transfer. I really want to be fair here. My generation should join, if you flew in through Bangore Maine after deployment the VFW welcomed you. But the current memberships elsewhere should also reach out more. VFW members should start inviting young vets.

I think mostly its a cultural issue. VFW's are seen mostly as bars by outsiders. I use the term "outsider" because I was with my MIL and wife and we played bingo there once and she introduced me to one of the guys and told him I was an Iraq/AFG vet and he said "well good for you, that'll be $12."
Vets these days are more into community outreach and helping each other, going to Spartan races, etc. I can't think of any of my friends that just want to go sit and drink and smoke and joke and swap war stories in a smoky hall bar.

What might help is updating your own Image. Your uniforms and look is great for a WWII vets but you need to appeal to the young generation.

I know this an issue for everybody. I was introduced to my Local VFW Post 6859 by my professor at the local community college. (Btw, was the best professor I had) and he wasn't pushing membership, he proving and showed me he CARED about me and Veterans altogether. He was the faculty advisor to building & establishing the Veterans Club at the college and the other local Universities. All the college campuses should have a Veteran's Club or space and Veteran's can have a voice in the schools. I have been a member for 4 years now, the past 2 years, I have been really active because I could see the strength of the legacy these organizations have now and need to maintain in order for us to get anything done. Our Post (Portland,ME) is AWESOME. The Men's & Ladies Auxiliaries &the VFW itself have been supportive and been like a brotherhood again and the few "Safe places" I feel like I can go to anytime. Our post is one of the youngest population BECAUSE they reached out to the college campuses. Yes, the initial thought is that we are those generations, but when they the colorguard and half our Post Leadership and our generation then more come in. The thing to show is not just a Canteen but PROVE what our mission is, SHOW that we care of the community and each other. I have been Post Service Officer for 2 years, Trustee for 2 years & Our Post & State Dept HonorGuard. Being active keeps me busy but I have seen more of what we do for each other and rebuilt the comradery that I have missed. Primarily, EVERY MEMBER can do outreach for our daily lives and not pushembership but push that we CARE & CAN HELP...then they become members after because they haven't had the help in life...all aspects of life. Reach out to the campuses, be there thier events & show we can do more things faster & better than going thru just the VA. Network and know where they can get help for anything (not just claims, but housing, car repair, heating assistance, rehabiltation, therapy, and even...just a good time outside of the Post level.) I agree, our future is only solid when we don't have to recreate something new, lean on each other and the legacy each member has earned to create and lengthen our own legacies.

Greetings, I am currently stationed in Germany. I reached out to the VFW numerous times, to a few members who claimed they were active members of the organization with the hopes to get some form of support/collaboration/honoring of veterans event during one of our Veterans Day meals in my Dining Facility where I served as Assistant Manager. I am sad to report that I never heard back, and as a Noncommissioned officer I followed up with those contacts numerous times. I recon'd the times of meetings at their local office here in my community, and upon my arrival, i encountered nothing but an empty location with no one present. So to answer this question, I am sure a few folks have already provided the same answer, what are organizations such as the VFW and etc doing to gain the interest of those outside of their organizations to carry the rich history that it bears, to tell those stories. We as a society can not expect for everything to just come to us, it has to be looked for and innovation has to play a part in how to do it. I have been here for 3 years, have yet to hear a response from those I contacted, no calls returned, no info provided.

I believe that the young veterans of today who have be through numerous deployments and disappointments from the service no longer wish to be associated with any military type organization. Although we are not THE military we are all from the military and I feel the young veterans fail to recognize the difference. The veterans that are not injured in any way just want to put as much distance between themselves and the service or any organization that even whispers a branch of the military.