Will VSO's (VFW, American Legion, AMVETS, Etc) be able to appeal to the contemporary Veteran?

2015-07-31T19:25:06-04:00

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 31 at 2015 8:19 PM

2015-07-31T20:19:56-04:00

SGT(P) Gregory Daniel Collins, Jr. Family events, I only do family activities. I have four kids and a spouse. I have one demanding civilian job and a demanding Reserve job. I rarely have time for outings beyond Church or Family events.
I find VFW dark, old and unappealing. I have looked at two locations but they just don't make sense to me.
I am happy these organizations exist and maybe one day it will be a fit.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jul 31 at 2015 9:40 PM

2015-07-31T21:40:53-04:00

So far, from what I've seen here in Washington, it's pretty sparse. We have a few post 9/11 members at the DAV and VFW chapters/posts here, but not many...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2015 7:17 AM

2015-08-01T07:17:55-04:00

They will unfortunately fall to the wayside if they don't try to do more than be an outlet to have a few beers, eat a burger and play pull tabs.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Aug 1 at 2015 10:32 AM

2015-08-01T10:32:48-04:00

They actually are and their success stories are printed about every month in the AL and VFW journals.
Example:
http://www.legion.org/magazine/229263/green-river-gamble

Green River gamble

A group of post-9/11 veterans set out to create a Legion post for a new generation, and it’s paying off.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Aug 1 at 2015 10:50 AM

2015-08-01T10:50:56-04:00

Most current members of VSO's don't understand the needs of today's veterans - the ones from Afghanistan and the Gulf Wars (dare I say "The War on Terror"?). And there is going to be a surge in their numbers as the Administration downsizes the military. They need help transitioning to civilian life. They need education. They need jobs. When I talk to fellow members of the VFW and AL, they complain that they "tried" to reach out to them but all the young vets want are beer, chicks, and jobs. It seems there's a disconnect there, doesn't it? It seems to me that the first step is to establish lines of communication. We created a "hipper" version of our website, including a "phone friendly" mobile version to begin the process http://www.vfw6024.org and m.vfw6024.org The next step will be to poll young vets to get their opinions. Then we can build programs to better serve them

VFW 6024 Home

Landing page for vfw6204.org

Response by 1SG Charles Hunter made Aug 1 at 2015 2:30 PM

2015-08-01T14:30:26-04:00

Yes, they WILL be able to appeal, but only with input from contemporary veterans. One issue is that younger veterans apparently expect an organization to be tailor-made for their personal preferences and needs. Perhaps that is why several new organizations have appeared on the landscape. But the older organizations won't change without new blood. Vietnam veterans (who were often shunned by older members) are the current old guard in the VFW and American Legion. They need to reach out to younger veterans in any way they can, and listen to their needs--and address those needs at the local level.

Response by CWO2 John Markiewicz made Aug 1 at 2015 9:15 PM

2015-08-01T21:15:30-04:00

The DAV is actually doing pretty well on this score. Because they are primarily a service organization and are mostly known for their Service Officers who help the veterans with their claims and appeals to the VA, they are recruiting many of the current and younger veterans. A lot of them are not coming to the meetings, but a few are and more will as time passes and the pressures of career and family start letting up. Many of the DAV National Officers are post-911 veterans as are most of our National Service Officers and that also makes a big difference.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 2 at 2015 11:11 AM

2015-08-02T11:11:04-04:00

Yes. It is the fellowship it is the fellowship of those who served that will bring them together. Shared experiences.

Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2015 3:44 PM

2015-08-02T15:44:32-04:00

The VFW is one of the most welcoming places and the best burgers around. Old timers and new can get together and tease the heck out of each other. Just the other day an old timer was buying us younger guys beer but then he made us get out of our chairs and do pushups with him. He said it was a test to make sure we weren't drunk... but who hasn't done at least a tipsy push up?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2015 1:45 PM

2015-09-09T13:45:59-04:00

The American Legion is nearing it's 100 anniversary. that is a long time not to have changed to meet the needs of veterans. Gone are the WWI and most of the WWII vets. In my Post almost all of the leadership is Lebanon/Grenada and later. Each Post like each unit is different. Don't judge all of the American Legion by what one Post is like. The Legion with it's large membership wields a lot of influence with Congress and the President to ensure new veterans get the benefits they deserve.

My Post is very progressive, we may even pay your 1st years membership if you contact me before the end of January 16!

Response by SFC Dean D. made Sep 14 at 2015 1:45 PM

2015-09-14T13:45:10-04:00

This is a subject of great interest to me in the past year. The answer to this question is yes organizationally but also very possibly no on a local level. Many vets see VSOs as a local bar with old guys and in many cases it is. They see it as something to join when you retire. After looking at some history on VSOs I've noticed a pattern.
I recently started a Garrison of the Army & Navy Union USA (ANU) which is the oldest perpetual membership veterans organization - founded in 1886. When the AL was formed at the end of WWI, the ANU was the biggest veterans organization in the US. But why form a new VSO when one already existed? The VFW was formed at the end of WWII. Again, why form a new organization when others already exist? I think we are seeing the illustration of it in this situation. It could simply be a generational issue. When younger veterans are ready to join a VSO, they don't like what they see in the older veterans VSO so they form a new one. Possibly the younger vets also want to do things their way versus the existing organizations.
We could, in theory, have one huge and powerful VSO whose voice and influence would be heeded by politicians and bring all veterans together. Human nature says that won't happen anytime soon.
Back to the question - will they (established VSOs) appeal to contemporary vets? - will primarily depend on local chapters commitment to welcoming vets of all generations and how they can provide activities/resources that appeal across all generations.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2015 2:27 PM

2015-09-14T14:27:44-04:00

It completely depends on the individual post. As a national organization, I'd love to see everyone eligible become a member. The legislative strength is in numbers. At a local level, posts vary so much in program and attitude. I'd challenge our generation to get there and make the posts what you want.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 6:07 PM

2015-09-16T18:07:17-04:00

I don't understand what those are, maybe because the VSO by me isn't interested in speaking to me, even on a slow day.

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Feb 24 at 2016 3:11 PM

2016-02-24T15:11:34-05:00

Far right wing conservative and evangelical views dominate these organizations, and I refuse to conform to any political ideology. I form my opinions with out taking a right or left side. Politics seem to be such a large focal point. The antiquated club rituals are also turn off to me and other people I know who have tried these groups. While I appreciate the concept of tradition, the whole concept and structure of these organizations are outdated.

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Dec 30 at 2019 12:32 PM

2019-12-30T12:32:02-05:00

I am current the Adjutant for my local Legion Post...and only 41; I guess that makes me a "contemporary" veteran. Here's the challenges as I see them:

First, the Legion (and its sister organizations) are by-and-large comprised of Vietnam Veterans...we younger vets need to understand their perspective, and they need to understand ours. Many of them were drafted...we volunteered. They were spit on at the airports...we received a "heroes' welcome". They have lived thirty to forty additional years compared to most of us...we however are living in the prime of life, and enduing many of the things they went through decades ago. They are mostly retired...we're still working, and often at "second careers". Both of us fought wars that are barely understood...have ambiguous connotations...and were largely unresolved. They struggled with various health issues related to their service...so do we.

Second, these organizations need to remain viable through activity. No one with a full-time job, two young children, and mounds of debt wants to spend two hours a month eating pasta and talking about "what's wrong with everybody". Younger veterans are seeking ways to continue to be of service, to find relevance, and bridge the gap left by their transition out of uniform. This means letting go of the "reins" to some extent...while committing to mentoring the next generation of members.

Third, the department and national organizations need to quit harping on "numbers" and back up their high positions with action. Nothing shuts down the initial passion and interest of an incoming member than to have a bunch of "white hats" send out "blast" emails demanding that "membership meet quotas", etc., etc., when 100% of the fundraising, administration, leadership, and activity of the Post falls on the local organization.