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

I am personally a member of several organizations, including the American Legion, Sons of Confederate Veterans, and others. I think it all comes down to what each organization has to offer people, and how much time involvement membership requires. Some local chapters are not very active nor involved in the community which could turn some folks off. Others may take up too much time from someone who is busy trying to raise a family and earn a living. I think recruitment can help because some folks aren't even aware of a local chapter being around.

the politics. My hub does not deal well with political drama. We joined AL to help a friend out. We left because his mess caught us in a load of mess we would just as soon never have landed in. We made our exit and never looked back. If I do join again it will have to be VFW and I barely qualify for that, if at all. I am DS/DS vet that never deployed because I got the cush assignment at Corps HQ and had a cush MOS that rarely sees the field for any reason unless the whole Army is out there. 75E was as close to a civilian job as a uniform can get. Meaning, I don't have war / combat experience although I have wartime experience. Hmmm. But ask another vet under age 60 and you will probably get yet another kind of story.

I joined the American Legion post 173 here in Holiday Florida a few years back It is not a bad little club but it does have quite a few problems 1. You walk into place the morning to get breakfast and you will see the same guy's at the bar drinking and its 8am in the morning. 2. If it is winter time you will see about 20 to 25 Canadians having breakfast you will wait quite a while to get served. I asked the post commander about this his only answer was we need the money. Sure there is a big sing on the wall veterans first but this is not the case. I no longer pay dues to them and I show up there once in a while if a good friend gives a call and wants to chat about the old days. I could go on and on about this post but all you have to do is walk in and spend a little time in the place and you will see why no young Vet wants to join.

Most have joined their own organization as did the Vietnam Veterans, but in time they realize their organization will end with last standing era of Veterans and join the AMVETS, American Legions, and or the VFW that have the whole spectrum of era Veterans and more members mean our voices are heard in Congress; one way to get them involved is to have what they seek at our Posts, WIFI, weight benches and open halls, instead of doors to bar area only.

One thing for me is the costs. With a limited budget it is hard to justify the yearly dues let alone a lifetime membership.

I joined the DAV (Life Membership) prior to retiring in 2005 after 20 years of service. I looked into joining the local VFW but decided against it did not appeal to me for various reasons. It seemed more like a complaining club more so then focusing on how to possibly change things or how to help other vets. This maybe localized in the Fort Campbell KY area but none the less it was disheartening.

I myself am a middle aged veteran that belongs to all veterans organizations. What I have noticed is that several organizations are controlled by the older veterans and they resist all change to the point of putting off new members. We have had several debates that sometimes get heated over issues that would make it more appealing to younger families. Even to the point of saying children are not allowed in the lodge. Unfortunately, most of our next generation veterans are families just getting started. Why would they want to join if they feel unwelcome?
Having talked to several people, the conception is that the posts and lodges are for "old people"... We need to get the word out about what they really are and the important role they play in our communities.

I would also venture a guess, that most of the veterans age 45+, who only did one enlisted tour, never served in combat.. I mean if you look at military conflict timelines... prior to the Gulf War, if I am not mistaken, Grenada and Panama were the only real conflicts involving major U.S. troops after Vietnam. Furthermore, many of the organization require combat ribbons, expeditionary medals, hazardous duty, direct line of fire, etc... and with the modern military, that eliminates a great deal of candidates, myself included...(Coast Guard)... It is not that I would not join... I can't... I am not eligible due to the fact that even in time of conflict, MY branch did not get involved in combat, for the most part... As an E-4 I had no say in the who, what, where, when, or why.. Those decision were WAY above my pay grade. Thus, the decisions of the Commander-in-Chief preclude ME from being a member based on their own criteria and rules for being a member... It does not matter that I joined of my own volition.... Or served honorably,.... The fact is, the antiquated rules disregard 75-80% of the would be candidates through no fault of their own... And many of the current combat vets, at least the ones I know, don't like or want to talk about their experiences, and avoid military organizations in general... but, this is just my opinion...I may be wrong...

Not sure why, but I know why I let my membership elapse. The american legion post that I join only sat around, drank, and smoked. The building reflected the same. The group of people I am associated with run, bike, swim, and all sorts of activity things. i just don't want to sit around a grow old doing nothing.

I know most veterans organizations are non-partisan. But some members of local posts in my area feel the need to push their political agendas. I made the mistake of mentioning that I voted for Obama in 2008 and was told by another member that I was "unpatriotic and unamerican" for doing so. Needless to say...I did not renew my membership. I was so turned off by that experience that I will never join another veterans organization. It's too bad a few people have to spoil it for everyone else.