Posted on Oct 22, 2014
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Earlier this week there was an article in the Washington Times, http://bit.ly/1rqsg9c, about younger Veterans bypassing the American Legion and VFW for more modern organizations like Wounded Warrior Project, Team Rubicon, Got Your 6 and Team RWB. Kate Hoit was the service member profiled who stated "she will never join the VFW or the American Legion." She also said those "organizations are unwelcoming and out of touch with the needs of post-Sept. 11 veterans who served in Afghanistan and Iraq." There have been several responses to the Washington Times article including a post on the American Legion's blog site, http://bit.ly/1wtIYe9, calling out Ms. Hoit as not being an uninterested bystander and perhaps being a straw man for the old versus new Veteran Service Organizations.
My question is are the older more established organizations working to get younger veterans into their ranks and leadership or are older vets dominating these organizations and not wanting to allow younger vets to enjoy the cameraderie that was denied them outside of these organizations.
FULL DISCLAIMER: I am a member of BOTH the American Legion and VFW, I am a member of Post 5 of the American Legion in Nashville, Tennessee and a Member at Large of the VFW. I also participate in events put on by the Wounded Warrior Project, such as the recent 8K Race in Franklin, Tennessee.
My question is are the older more established organizations working to get younger veterans into their ranks and leadership or are older vets dominating these organizations and not wanting to allow younger vets to enjoy the cameraderie that was denied them outside of these organizations.
FULL DISCLAIMER: I am a member of BOTH the American Legion and VFW, I am a member of Post 5 of the American Legion in Nashville, Tennessee and a Member at Large of the VFW. I also participate in events put on by the Wounded Warrior Project, such as the recent 8K Race in Franklin, Tennessee.
Posted in these groups: 
Wounded Warriors
Service
Wounded Warriors Service
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 45
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When I walked into the combined AL/VFW, first thing I was asked was by the manager if I was there to apply for the waitress position. Also offered the option of joining the wife group. I gave it a year, attempted to start conversations and attend events. No need to go back. I was either ignored or hit on. And as an aside, I have gone to a few Veteran's Day meals with male non-veterans. They are thanked for their service and given the vet menu. I do speak up and express my appreciation for the restaurants participating in this yearly show of support.
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COL John McClellan
Yes, our older Vets are for the most part HORRIBLE at this!! I have heard variations of this story many, many times! Your thoughts, Kim -- ideas to solve this?!! I'm in!!
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Maj Kim Patterson
COL John McClellan Thinking back, the design of the club where I went did not lend itself to much socializing. Had the typical bar, where the lonely start early, murky carpet, dim lighting and I think a shuffleboard took up the middle of the floor. I went on several evenings. It feels dirty. The crowd is generally older (than me) I haven’t been in quite sometime but my thought is, a little bit of clean up could go a long way. And put a stop at the local AL/VFW on outprocessing paperwork for the young troops. I suspect most of the younger veterans can find clubs they like out in the community and never even set foot in one. My personal life has become filled with activities I really enjoy, making connections through volunteering. Perhaps a recruitment evening in the spring or summer, cookout, music, and invite a young vet. Remember old guys teach the new guys? I think the young vets would come up with some ideas to take the stake out of the club without losing all of the clubs history.
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I didn't read the article but I did go join my local VFW and attended two meetings.
All I found were a bunch of old men drunk who started drinking at lunch on Thursday.
I have a job, a wife and two little kids. I have very little in common with these functioning alcoholics.
The local chapter had nothing that interested me. If the local chapters go away I wouldn't miss them. I may try again when I get out and settle down somewhere.
All I found were a bunch of old men drunk who started drinking at lunch on Thursday.
I have a job, a wife and two little kids. I have very little in common with these functioning alcoholics.
The local chapter had nothing that interested me. If the local chapters go away I wouldn't miss them. I may try again when I get out and settle down somewhere.
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CW5 Sam R. Baker
HOOAH Sir, I recognize your position and have seen and witnessed similar locals, however, we as younger folks (you more than I), need to gain some momentum in the chapters and get it more family friendly and community involved. It doesn't take much sometimes and open air picnic areas at the local go a lot further for hosting those type of events versus the traditional dark smoke filled spaces.
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LTC (Join to see)
CW5 Sam R. Baker Concur.
But I know I don't want to invest that effort when I know I'll be leaving in a year.
But I know I don't want to invest that effort when I know I'll be leaving in a year.
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SPC Angel Guma
Depends on where you go. I would also argue that this is more of a generational gap than anything else.
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My favorite solution was the approach that Lynn Rolf took, by having his friends join up and taking a position of leadership to reform it into something he wanted to remain a part of. I'll definitely take this into practice when I settle in one place.
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