Why have more of our generation not joined the VFW?

My grandfather is a veteran of the Korean War and a member. I was retired last January and kind of excited to join so I went into my local one to sign up. When I walked in no one seemed to care to see a new face and no one talked to me hardly. I shook it off and began approaching people and asking them about themselves. I didn't feel a connection nor did I feel like anyone was very friendly so I never went back. I definitely don't feel like this is an organization I wanna be apart of and until they change my mind I won't go back.

I am a life member, but the half-dozen halls I've visited have been disappointing. There is such a disconnect between the let's sit around and drink bs I see and what I want to do with my life and time.

I am a life time VFW member, but I don't go to meetings or to the local VFW. With work and family, most of these fraternal organizations are held together by a few core members in each chapter. Once I transition from active duty, and the kids are older, I will be more active most likely. The draw is hard. We live in an era where the E clubs and the O Clubs and NCO Clubs are all but gone; socializing with our brothers in arms has become a private affair. For mostly negative impacts to the profession of arms and the brotherhood of recent combat veterans.

Today's generation is not one to join organizations. ALL groups are suffering, from service groups, to frats/sororities, to Freemasons, to the Rotary... hell, even the military. They - WE - have too many other things to do.

And, if you scan the commentary, WAY too many VFW Posts suffer from the, "My conflict/war was better than your conflict/war," just like they used to do. A thousand years ago (1983-86), I bartended at a a VFW, and the WWII vets dogged on the Korean War vets, who dogged on the Vietnam vets. It's happened forever. And now that the military actually has GIRLS getting combat tours (said with sarcasm), the old-timers REALLY don't know what to do.

The best bet is to join and MAKE the change, so the next person has it easier than you did.

I concur with 1LT Nick Kidwell. I am also a life member at the VFW (member at large), a member of the American Legion and the DAV. I only go to the meeting halls about once a year because they are so filled with smoke, I cough for days later. The aging veterans may have been major smokers, but the vast majority of Soldiers and recent veterans are living healthier. I am not bashing the smokers. If that is your thing, enjoy yourselves. Just don't expect me to sit next to you while you kill me as well as yourself.

If the current VFW members did not see the younger generation as a threat to the old ways, they might be able to acquire someone younger that was not into drinking beer and telling war stories... I am tired of being ostracized because of the war I fought in.

Thanks for commenting on this subject. I first joined a year after my ETS date in 1976 had an absence for a while raising my sons. I got active again 6 years ago. I've been a Commander, Quartermaster and held many other offices. I'm currently an Adjutant at my current VFW Post and Judge Advocate at my local AMVETS. Also I'm a VFW District Post Inspector and Sergeant at Arms.
Missouri has our first female State Commander, my VFW has the first female Commander also my AMVETS has a female finance Office. All are if recent Wars and or Conflicts.

I am still in the process of getting my life in order with a family of 6. I spent more time on the guard than one weekend a month. When things settle down and I can give the VFW its due dilligence I will reevaluate @ that time.

My initial thoughts are the younger generations perception of VFW. Younger vets see it as a place that old vets go to tell war stories and drink all day. I'm not saying that is an accurate assumption, but the perception is still there...Most of the older vets are retired and kids out of the house etc with lots of time on their hands. younger vets have full time post military careers and young families to raise, kids that need taken to soccer practice or swimming lessons, etc.

It is highly dependent on the individual post. I have found as a general rule that those closer to military installations have done a much better job of growing with the times than those out in the hinterlands.
That said, the one in my hometown, Hendersonville, NC has done a better than average job of making the post in general and the canteen, specifically, more appealing to younger folks. Great live music on the weekends. BBQs and potlucks throughout the week. Welcoming to women vets.