Why have more of our generation not joined the VFW?

I got out about 6 months ago but frankly haven't ever really been a joiner. In high school, college or the military, I never got into the official organizations because I never saw ones that appealed to me. I also had more then enough of my own work and hobbies to keep me busy, which is also part of it.

I am a Life Member of the VFW and Past Commander. Also Member of the American Legion. Why would anyone in their right mind want to sit around in an old broken down building and listen to old men lobotomized by FOX News bitch about that Socialist President (Noticed a lot of these same old men love to use that N-Word). Yes there is a big Cultural Divide and until these Veterans Organizations learn how to deal with it they are going to have some problems.

Tell me why I should join the VFW. Ask me whatever you need to in order to address my question. It doesn't speak to me.

I joined for a year back in 2001, it was pretty much a symbolic gesture, since the post I joined was about an hour away and I was always too busy to go. The VFW needs to reeinvent themselves. The way I see it the VFW's heyday was probably years ago when we had so many WW2 vets in it. There was a generation gap between them and Vietnam Vets, as well as between Vietnam and Desert Storm. Now it's the same with Those and the recent Vets from Iraq and Afghanistan.
I am thinking about joining a local post again, but am leary about a lot of organizations. Deserved or not the VFW has a reputation as a bunch of old guys sitting around and lying about what they did in the military. I have zero tolerance for BS.

I have moved around so much, and many of my friends who I served with live around the world. I connect with them, and others that I served with virtually. Much the same way that we are connecting through RallyPoint. Your question is a valid one though. My question back to you would be, how has the VFW adapted to welcome the new generation of veterans?

1. I think they need to promote themselves more by going to various bases and letting the current generation of service members know that they exist. I only found out about them when I was deploying.

2. Get their own websites / social media so that interested parties can locate them when they return stateside.

3. WELCOME new veterans. If a post doesn't make a new veteran feel welcome, not only will he or she not return to that post, but many will write off the whole organization. I was my post's first female in 85 years of its existence. My commander made a point of recognizing me at the Memorial Day Parade, which reminds people that females are a part of the military and the organization (and will hopefully encourage others to join the military and the VFW).

4. Consider giving the first year free or apply the dues for 12 months (instead of calendar year). One of my colleagues said that he joined in November, and in January he was being hounded for dues. Because of that, he said that he will never join.

5. Do interesting /meaningful events in the community. So many people have this notion (rightly or wrongly depending on the post) that the VFW is a cheap watering hole with smoking and war stories. PROVE THEM WRONG! Do volunteerism (visiting sick vets, writing letters via Operation Gratitude, march in parades, go speak in schools, host events on your post).

I joined but do not participate much with the VFW, instead I attend meetings and participate in events with the local chapter of the Marine Corps League whose meetings are held at the VFW. I have stronger ties to the Marine Corps League than I would/do to the VFW. Perhaps once I complete school I may attend meetings of the VFW and American Legion.

In not eligible for the VFW despite my 28 years service because I have never been deployed. However, the American Legion has the same issues; as well as other organizations I belong to. I know most of these organizations attract retired people in large part because working people are busy at work and raising a family. Also a smaller percentage of the population are veterans as compared with the 20-20 years after World War II; the WWII vets are dying off and Vietnam vets never seemed as interested although I think a few more of them have joined after they got older. The VFW and the Legion should work harder to attract younger vets.

there is a severe generation GAP in the VSO's Many vets with great records are simply not eligible to join. They were cold war 70s and 80s long periods where there were no declared conflicts.

Next the VSO's themselves made to attempt to educate or recruit they in many cases are seen as groups of old men who sit at the Bar and talk. Younger members are often made to feel like outsiders and are often not asked to participate older members seem to feel that "Things are good the way they are" and resist changes that would serve the Vet community as a whole.

Sadly I think VSO will soon be a thing of the past unless the National leadership embraces the younger generations and makes VSOs relevant and needed.

I too am a VFW Member - Bronze Legacy LM... the answer is quite simple... The current generation "Warriors" and working their butts off to pay bills and what not - most of them are also husbands, wives, mothers, fathers with additional commitments and priorities... all we can do as VFW members is keep shaking that tree to gain more members and stay in constant contact with our current members (to let them know we understand and care) and keep inviting them out as their time allows... there will come a time when their lives will offer them the chance to actively participate. Also, when they do show up to VFW meetings and activities... we better not waist their time and not offer them leadership positions or duties.......... I was also a successful Past Post Commander to VFW Post 8214 Manchester New Hampshire! Hoorah!!! GREAT TALKING POINT CPT Metz! We need to keep the VFW and the American Legion Post (throughout the world) alive and functioning!!!