Why have more of our generation not joined the VFW?

I agree the VFW is a huge way to step up and continue assisting our brothers and sisters in arms who remain on Active Duty, I am the current Commander of my local Post and it is so gratifying being able to continue serving despite my Veteran status. Semper Fidelis

CPT Shane D. Metz I personally am a member of the American Legion Post 116 Fuquay-Varina, NC.

I recently Joined the VFW, but am now going to quit. As many have mentioned, the first meeting is a bit cold, "you cant come in here" "where did you serve". You kinda get the third degree, even after joining online and having a card. But the biggest reason for me is that at my post meetings, we have three (3) prayers for a 45 minute meeting. These are not non-denominational prayers, but christian prayers. I am an Atheist, and many I served with are also Atheist, in fact many of the younger soldiers identify as non religious, or atheist. I believe this is a big factor in why younger soldiers stay away. I don't want to listen to 3 lengthy, over bloated prayers at a business meeting. It's wrong. I would compromise with say a small one to open the meeting. I think that would be OK. But man it is a turn off to me and I don't want to be a part of an organization that puts a priority on prayers at meetings and events. The other thing that erks me is the division of vets, pre Vietnam in one group and the post vietnam in the other-Young Guns. I am not a young gun! 24 years in the service, and 50% disabled, the army has destroyed my health and body. I may be younger than those old farts, but I find it a bit insulting to be labeled a young gun. I wanted to belong to an all inclusive organization of vets that span generations and conflicts and then I am put into a different category that seems a bit demeaning to me. Maybe I am a snowflake and this is no big deal to others, but for some reason, it bothers me. So I will not be renewing my VFW membership and have stopped going to meetings.

I served from March 1984 till June 1988 which is apparently the Bermuda triangle of military service as I didn't qualify to join. I tried.

Just a guess but the World War Two experience was unique. Units came together, they trained, many for two years or more, they went to Europe, many of them, whupped butt on the bad guys came home, got demobilized, bought houses with the GI Bill, got education from the GI Bill, and started yearning as they got older for the good old days. Plus – there was no ambiguity about the outcome, or the bad guys. Victory was total, the enemy was palpably evil.

That is just totally different from the military experience today.

Walt

We have too many veteran's groups and it hurts them all. American Legion, VFW, Iraq and Afghanistan, and probably more. Simply need no more than a couple and I would consider joining.

Like many others that have posted here, I am an American Legion member "at large". I believe in the good things that VSOs do for veterans and the communities in which they're located but still being on active duty (for a few more months), I don't believe I'd feel comfortable going to a chapter yet. Maybe after I hang up the uniform I'll visit one and see for myself if what other have posted here is consistent.

I joined the VFW after my first time downrange (Afghanistan in 2006), but between the aggressive selling of products and other type activities (Nationally and Locally) I just did not feel it was worth my time. Additionally, I did not see much more than the local bar/VFW and I have never been into that scene.
I let my membership lapse and have had to reply multiple times to remove my name from email lists, however I continue to get solicitations.
Reading so many of the posting above (and I am the grandson of a WWII vet and son of a Vietnam, Cold War, and Desert Storm Vet) I don't see much that they offer me locally or even nationally.

I joined the American Legion for my dad, however I have heard the same about the VFW and told my dad the same thing as he is a district head trying to find ways to recruit the younger generation. I am not going to sit around a bar all the time to just sit there and talk. I go in every once in a while and love hearing the stories of older veterans than myself. However I am 26 and the next youngest person in the post I am at is ten years older. I think organizations like these need to adapt to fit the younger generations. I do other things with my time and I am not at that age were I find just sitting at a bar all day is an acceptable activity of my time.

Thought about it and actually visited the local several times and decided not for me. Too many sitting around drinking, smoking and talking about the good old days. It was easy to tell some had never moved on and it was kind of sad and decided this wasn't for me. While I loved my time in the military it doesn't comprise the only good thing that happened in my life like so many I saw.