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

I think it is reasonable to wonder how much longer these organizations (VFW, American Legion, et al) will still be around, especially as the OIF-OEF generation of service members and veterans gets older. If so few of us are joining the VFW and Legion, then it's only logical that many of those organizations' posts will fade in member #s due to age and older veterans passing away. Upfront, I can say that I don't think it helps for the VFW and Legion to be charging annual membership dues to people as a way of sustaining their operations.

I don't really care to join the VFW just because I don't want to. I am an Afghan vet and I honestly don't feel the need to have to pay for membership for something that I feel like I've earned. IAVA marches on to Washington and fights for many of the causes that I also feel strongly about, and it's free. Key word for me is, it's free. I know that all these organizations are trying to reach out to younger vets and I wish you all the best. I am just simply adding my two cents as to why I prefer the newer organizations that I feel pertain to me personally. Good luck though and I hope that you are able to maintain your numbers

I am a life member of Marine Corps League, VFW, AMVETS and DAV and what I notice is a bunch of old white guys hanging out at s bar or in the ceremonies some archaic silly bullsh*t. The leadership and most veteran organizations are failing to reach out to the younger veteran communities and offering things that they find important

I think it depends on the local chapter. VFW Post 1 in Denver is very active, but it also draws from a lot of student veterans at local colleges and many veterans working in the local aerospace and defense industry as well as local finance and technology hubs. The post has a lot of active service programs and a tight network with many Colorado veteran organizations, as well as fitness and art events by veterans. I don't think many of the smaller posts in surrounding suburbs have the same level of activity or membership.

Probably because the religious undertones of these groups is outdated and out of place. There is a stygma now attributed to veterans from older wars compared to newer ones. The Vietnam vets we see wandering around are older and eccentric. We see a cluster of them hovering around intersections begging. To be fair the majority of these beggars are not vets, but the general public does not know that. Now with the influx and confusion of the veterans from the war and the veterans from the invasion, the general public is confused by the "threat" of PTSD. Who wants to be associated with crazies? Regardless of the truth.

I see the same problem here in Australia as I did in the US. Its not just US veterans turning away from vet groups. Here, the RSL only operates bars and casinos. I walked into one looking to connect with veterans, and was told I had to pay higher membership fees over social club membership fees in order to join. And even if I did that, they couldn't promise any programs that involved veterans hanging out together and bonding. Ya know, I wouldn't mind hanging at a bar with old vets, but by not offering programs that appeal to younger veterans, you not only lost membership dues, but lost long-term support and reputation.

Another thing is that the VFW seems to favor Vietnam and older veterans, or at least that's they way it seems when you walk into one. They seem like they are only in existence for generating revenue to keep the lights on so they can have a place to hide from their wives. I'm okay with that, but there's got to more that we can do...helping that homeless vet a couple blocks down, sprucing up that local veterans memorial in the local park, etc.

I do agree, its a local leadership issue rather than national. But, its an international problem as well....

http://www.thecitizen.org.au/news/young-veterans-turning-away-out-touch-rsl

I was thinking about this the other day and realized I didn't feel compelled to join either. As I thought about why I felt that way it occurred to me that these organizations have no visibility in my world and that if they pulled on their internal talent (Marketing Execs, Business Leaders, etc) they could craft a campaign to reach out nationally in a way that would get even younger soldiers to engage and lock in the succession for generations to come.

I am a member of the VFW. Everytime I see young Veteran I try to sell the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American legion, and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). I also tell them about the Old Soldiers Home. I tell them this so if they ever see a Fellow Veteran in need, they can help. I exp!ain what the VFW does for families such as scholarship programs and also fight for their rights at Capitol Hill. I am getting ready to Retire after 35 years of Service to our Nation and the Best Army in the world. I will continue to sell our programs to all young Veterans. Thank you all for what you do for our Great Nation each and every day.

V/r,

SGM Ralph O. Hernandez

Having joined the local VFW Post 2391 here in St. Augustine, I can tell you that a lot of the reasons the younger vet's don't want to join is partially the stigma that its for older vet's. I know that our post while an outstanding one is kinda standoffish when first walking in as a new member. You get the look from the older vets as if saying he wasn't part of my war. The other part is that, with all the old blood in leadership position's no one wants to change anything or think outside the box. Just my thoughts and observations.

The VFW from personal experience does not have as much to offer as Wounded Warrior Project or IAVA. I found that when I visit most VFW post the bar is always full. Wounded Warrior Projects aims to help better veterans and actually contacts members who join and tell them about events. I hate to say this, But after joining the VFW and being with them for several years they challenged my membership and was rude about it. I could not believe the way they were acting. I think the newer organizations are more active. I think that during the VFWs watch the whole VA thing happened. When you know things are not right and you sit on your hands while corruption is going on, you are just as guilty.

Veterans need a stronger voice. We are not the same old veterans that let others do the work. We are a younger generation with a real commitment to change things and shake things up.

I myself am impressed with the wounded warrior project.

I sent the VFW proof and not one apology from them on how they acted.