Drinking club.

And thats OK too

 

Yes, that is a very big part of it. In many that is the only part of it. A bunch of Vets sitting around drinking and telling war stories.

And as you know, the older I get the better I was.

 

Most clubs of any kind are corrupt with fraud and theft when it comes to money. Some stolen by kids, adults in charge of kids groups, and adults stealing from others. A frequent review of funds is needed for any group sharing money. I would suggest at least quarterly.

 

Veterans' organizations can be valuable allies during any SHTF. But how good are they? Can we rely on them?

I'm a retired US Army combat vet. I missed the military and looked to re-create it by joining local veterans' organizations: American Legion, AMVETS and VFW. Almost three years ago I joined two of them, immersed myself in them and was even elected to officer positions. All was good. I was working very hard and making great progress. They loved me!

Then I started looking into the financials. Not good. Money was being pissed away, misappropriated and even stolen! For example; officers were shamelessly funneling money to family members under the guise of "scholarships". When I started asking questions, they got nervous and destroyed all the paperwork.

I reported to higher but to no avail. Nobody cared. The whole organization was rotten; top to bottom. Seeing that I was involved in what was essentially a money laundering organization, I immediately resigned, never to return.

Please don't misunderstand me. There are some great veterans' organizations. No argument here. All I'm saying is that not all of them are good. Many are run by scum bags. Don't get fooled.

Had a very similar experience with the post I joined.
After becoming wise to it, I left and went to another post and have had a good experience.

Some are just drinking clubs as mentioned.

The only advantage I see with these organizations is the people in them speak the same language I do.
I can go have dinner or have a drink and the people at the table will understand the things I talk about and vice versa.

As for after SHTF, I would not count on the organization itself, but the members therein that you have become friends with may be helpful.

 

Had a very similar experience with the post I joined.
After becoming wise to it, I left and went to another post and have had a good experience.

Some are just drinking clubs as mentioned.

The only advantage I see with these organizations is the people in them speak the same language I do.
I can go have dinner or have a drink and the people at the table will understand the things I talk about and vice versa.

As for after SHTF, I would not count on the organization itself, but the members therein that you have become friends with may be helpful.

The one organization was beyond crooked. The officers found creative ways to steal.

• Waitresses would "forget" to charge for various food or drink items. I never saw one commander pay for ANYTHING.
• Some would use the facility to store personal items over the winter, like motorcycles, etc...
• Drunk driving was the norm. Before I arrived, some drunk veteran was served booze until he could barely walk. He stumbled onto his motorcycle, got about a half mile and crashed into a tree. They set up a big roadside shrine for this dirt bag.
• A local HVAC contractor was paid huge sums of money for ridiculously poor work. I'm sure someone was getting a kickback.

 

Corruption / mismanagement isn't just confined to Veteran's organizations. I belong to a few, get what I want or need from it, and then go on my own way.

There are many posts/chapters/lodges/aeries/clubs/political parties/associations/etc. which are honorable, and then there are posts/chapters/lodges/aeries/clubs/political parties/associations/etc. which are less than honorable. Enough people that make up the organization have to care enough to hold it's leadership accountable, otherwise nothing happens to change it.

Edward Everett Hale is quoted about making a difference. Take it for what it's worth.

I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do. And by the grace of God, I will.

 

I have been in bands with the same problems on a smaller scale. There is always some way to justify dirtbag behavior.

 

All large organizations ( and a great many small ones, for instance HOA's), tend to devolve into self serving entities.

 

Years ago I joined the American Legion and found it to be little more than a place for members to day drink and it didn't take long for the junk mail to start filling my mailbox. Once the post commander or whatever the position is called discovered I rode a motorcycle he was after me to start a Legion Riders chapter. I wanted nothing to do with that mess and with him being relentless about it, I quit the Legion. Side benefit is the mail man doesn't hate me anymore.

 

My one and only issue with non-profits are that a lot of the money raised goes to bloated administrative costs rather than for the purpose with which the money was raised. Of course, not all are like this and there are plenty doing good work, but it seems wrong to pay a CEO of a non profit a 6 or 7 figure salary when that money could go to helping those in need

 

I volunteered as a military resource liaison for four of my wife's commands. There are so many organizations that exist to create jobs and provide little to no actual value. "For Military/Veterans" is low hanging fruit for non-profits because it has minimal pushback.

 

Spent my teenage years playing pool at the Legion while Pop played slots and drank. Husband and wife that ran the place were good people, as well as most of the members. Husband and wife went to jail for stealing from the till ...

 

VietNow was shut down by our attorney general. Something like 88% was taken by the professional fund raisers they used...for something like 34 years.
I think their heart was in the right place , just fiscally irresponsible.
Not a vet not a member but know a couple of members over the years both were nondrinkers.

 

I always find it interesting that the average rank is 1SG and many SGMs; almost all are 0311 or 11B and an over abundance of SF. Yea right..... One talked like he was Chesty Puller but was a PFC, 8 months in the Army and 3 months in keystone robin (or something).

 

AGREE with USMC124. Gave up all membership in all of them. Go in for a drink with the wife and some drunk starts his **** and trying to hit on her. Go for a Sunday brunch and 3/4 of them are all read **** faced. Then "IF YOU A"INT ARMY you a'int ****." AIRBORN ALL the WAY" "RECON" you get the drift. Not a good look. Don't need it Don't want it, walked away from it.

 

AGREE with USMC124. Gave up all membership in all of them. Go in for a drink with the wife and some drunk starts his ** and trying to hit on her. Go for a Sunday brunch and 3/4 of them are all read ** faced. Then "IF YOU A"INT ARMY you a'int ****." AIRBORN ALL the WAY" "RECON" you get the drift. Not a good look. Don't need it Don't want it, walked away from it.

My wife and I would eat at the restaurant once in a while. We'd show up for lunch and the same drunk dudes would stumble over and start babbling stupid jokes and one-liners. Some of the language was a bit off-color. I could tolerate it but my wife was very uncomfortable.

 

Veterans' organizations can be valuable allies during any SHTF. But how good are they? Can we rely on them?

I'm a retired US Army combat vet. I missed the military and looked to re-create it by joining local veterans' organizations: American Legion, AMVETS and VFW. Almost three years ago I joined two of them, immersed myself in them and was even elected to officer positions. All was good. I was working very hard and making great progress. They loved me!

Then I started looking into the financials. Not good. Money was being pissed away, misappropriated and even stolen! For example; officers were shamelessly funneling money to family members under the guise of "scholarships". When I started asking questions, they got nervous and destroyed all the paperwork.

I reported to higher but to no avail. Nobody cared. The whole organization was rotten; top to bottom. Seeing that I was involved in what was essentially a money laundering organization, I immediately resigned, never to return.

Please don't misunderstand me. There are some great veterans' organizations. No argument here. All I'm saying is that not all of them are good. Many are run by scum bags. Don't get fooled.

I’m not a ‘joiner’..A L Post approached me when I took my last position-terrific group of guys, I liked all of them…One guy, a ret CSM, past National Commander, post is well connected ..Growing up the VFW post was full of WW2 guys..my Dads people..they sponsored my Scout troop..Asset to the community most of them…not my gig..I won’t opine about any of them..Just not something I do..

 

Veterans' organizations can be valuable allies during any SHTF. But how good are they? Can we rely on them?

I'm a retired US Army combat vet. I missed the military and looked to re-create it by joining local veterans' organizations: American Legion, AMVETS and VFW. Almost three years ago I joined two of them, immersed myself in them and was even elected to officer positions. All was good. I was working very hard and making great progress. They loved me!

Then I started looking into the financials. Not good. Money was being pissed away, misappropriated and even stolen! For example; officers were shamelessly funneling money to family members under the guise of "scholarships". When I started asking questions, they got nervous and destroyed all the paperwork.

I reported to higher but to no avail. Nobody cared. The whole organization was rotten; top to bottom. Seeing that I was involved in what was essentially a money laundering organization, I immediately resigned, never to return.

Please don't misunderstand me. There are some great veterans' organizations. No argument here. All I'm saying is that not all of them are good. Many are run by scum bags. Don't get fooled.

Many great veterans out there, but I sometimes have to remind myself that the following RINOs and Dems were also vets:

George W Bush, Jr.
John Kerry
John McCain
Dan Crenshaw
Etc.

So clearly ... not all Vets are pro-American. Some are far more concerned with Ukraine or other special interests.

 

I belong to the Legion but my membership is still with the post in my old town. Mainly because they directly support my old unit. I never heard of any impropriaties or corruption. My post is one of the larger ones and has been post of the year several times, so I assume there are accountants. I haven't been active in years though.

I don't attend the local Legion, though they have a very nice facility. Simple reason, I'm a non-smoker and I don't drink very much or eat burgers and hot dogs very much, and it's just a smokey hang out for old geezers and I refuse to let myself become one. I still dig my beret out and attend the Veteran's Day and Memorial Day events though.

Would the members of the Legion stand by you in shtf? Yes, I think most will, to a point. YMMV

 

About 5 years ago, when I was just over 40, I stopped by my local American Legion to ask about membership. They couldn't get through their thick heads that I actually was the Veteran. Instead they kept asking if my Dad was in the service, what branch, and wondering if I wanted to join as a "Sons of the Legion" member. After 5 minutes of mental gymnastics, it finally soaked in. I have not been back.

No wonder they have recruitment problems. It's like nothing past Vietnam hardly exists, let alone GWOT-era folks.

I would NOT count on that group for ANYTHING in an emergency situation, other than finding where the trucks loaded with cheap beer are hidden.

 

About 5 years ago, when I was just over 40, I stopped by my local American Legion to ask about membership. They couldn't get through their thick heads that I actually was the Veteran. Instead they kept asking if my Dad was in the service, what branch, and wondering if I wanted to join as a "Sons of the Legion" member. After 5 minutes of mental gymnastics, it finally soaked in. I have not been back.

No wonder they have recruitment problems. It's like nothing past Vietnam hardly exists, let alone GWOT-era folks.

I would NOT count on that group for ANYTHING in an emergency situation, other than finding where the trucks loaded with cheap beer are hidden.

Very similar thing happened to me. I explained that I was interested in joining. They were rude and blew me off.

 

Veterans' organizations can be valuable allies during any SHTF. But how good are they? Can we rely on them?

I was a VFW member and tried out posts in numerous locations when we were travelling a lot. I met a few nice folks but the overall theme was people without a current sense of purpose trying to hold on to that time when they felt like they did. I have heard there has been a resurgence of new membership in the VFW so maybe things have changed.

 

It's pretty sad. When I first encountered the money mismanagement, I reached out to the judge advocate at another post. He was a great guy and his post is fantastic. He knew all about the corruption and actually was able to fix it at his post.

His recommendation: Once you replace the command staff with honorable people, immediately fire all the full-time staff and go strictly with volunteers. He told me "you would be amazed at how much money the full-time staff can steal." His post's profitability shot up ten fold once they did this.

Another judge advocate (the one at the echelon above me), listened to my complaint, but couldn't care less.

 

I haven't joined any veterans groups. Most here are a bunch of drunks. Waste of time and money.

I keep in touch with a few buddies from my old unit.
We talk on the phone, exchange email and those who are able to get together annually with kids and spouses. Otherwise we chip in together to help those having hard times or financial difficulty.

Lately it seems we've been meeting mostly at funerals, now there are only six of us left. It's hard to look at a small group picture from years ago to realize that you are the last man standing. But it is always a pleasure to attend a return from deployment, a wedding or commissioning ceremony for one of the grown kids, or grandkids. Not having kids of my own I work hard to be a beloved "uncle."

 

Not a vet so I can't say other than the VFW
And that's dying away.
From what I remember
It was a place folks hung out
Some drank, there were events and cook outs on the weekends.
Mostly older folks.
Only organization I know bout.

 

When I got out in 1970, the VFW told me to go away, Vietnam wasn’t a real war, and we were all a bunch of druggies anyway.
This happened to SO many others that in 1978 Vietnam Veterans of America was formed.
I joined in 1982, in the first chapter in Florida.

It’s right in the national constitution that no chapter may have a bar.
Our motto is In Service to America, and that’s what we do on a local level - we support our communities.
Since we were treated like **** not only by the American people at large, but also by the existing veterans organizations, our Founding Principle is “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.” And we haven’t.

30 years ago we moved to rural Florida.
There were no VVA Chapters anywhere near. I missed being around vets, civilians make me want to puke or commit mayhem upon them. So I grudgingly joined the only game in town - VFW.
I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I do not hang out at the post, I go to the meeting once a month. I help out on projects occasionally.There are some decent guys there, the alcoholic members stay in the bar and don’t involve themselves in anything that resembles work.

I have since helped form two new VVA chapters, and enjoy being with my brothers. And we make money to give it away. Every penny is accounted for, and we have a professional audit annually.

In our small town I also am a charter member of an American Legion. The guys are younger, Desert Storm, Iraq, Afghanistan. I’m the Old Guy.
We also raise money to give away. Our high school football team. Little League. Junior ROTC. Sending sharp kids to Boys State. Helping disadvantaged veterans and families. And more.
I’m proud to be a Legionnaire.

 

When I got out in 1970, the VFW told me to go away, Vietnam wasn’t a real war, and we were all a bunch of druggies anyway.

That happened to a good friend of mine (10 years older). His dad and grandpa were members forever and billet holder etc. apparently congress is in control of that

 

Veterans' organizations can be valuable allies during any SHTF. But how good are they? Can we rely on them?

I'm a retired US Army combat vet. I missed the military and looked to re-create it by joining local veterans' organizations: American Legion, AMVETS and VFW. Almost three years ago I joined two of them, immersed myself in them and was even elected to officer positions. All was good. I was working very hard and making great progress. They loved me!

Then I started looking into the financials. Not good. Money was being pissed away, misappropriated and even stolen! For example; officers were shamelessly funneling money to family members under the guise of "scholarships". When I started asking questions, they got nervous and destroyed all the paperwork.

I reported to higher but to no avail. Nobody cared. The whole organization was rotten; top to bottom. Seeing that I was involved in what was essentially a money laundering organization, I immediately resigned, never to return.

Please don't misunderstand me. There are some great veterans' organizations. No argument here. All I'm saying is that not all of them are good. Many are run by scum bags. Don't get fooled.

AJ,

IMO, the vet orgs are vestages of an earlier era. Besides the vet orgs replacing the 1950 - early 1960s National Guard picnic clubs w/ ample brew, the military also changed. After Vietnam wind down the US soight a professional military w/o draftees. Vet orgs not an interest to these new bro' in arms like earlier times.

I was active in the vet community for some years and held membership in 4 orgs.

Started as a "Service Officer" preparing docs of vets for VA claims and for the Service's Boards For the Correction of Military Records. Later moved to legislation at national level. When the vet orgs had large membership roles after WWII, they had some voice on Capitol Hill. Today, they are for free coffee ... beer phased out in my orgs.

During my time working vet legislation was working in Asia. I did get a generous ... as per what I was told was "generous" ... appropriation for the VA clinic in metro Manila, RP. The WWII bro' in arms have just about all left us to include the widows.

Things change over time and vet orgs part of this change.

For the record; Yes, I'm familiar with the financial corruption - both at the local vet orgs and also the Dept VA's annual bonus program.

 

To the OP, I am a Veteran and was looking for strong bonds as well. I found them, made some great friends and a group I can count on. Nothing wrong with being a member and even an officer in those groups. It didnt mean I would automatically trust them. Those bonds and relationships, I choose very carefully.

 

Ren / Carl,

Welcome to the Forum.

 

In the military people have a goal, outside the military people have personal goals. I would rather spend time on my own friends and family, over a group that I do not know.

 

I must be getting old. I was just invited to the Sons of Confederate Veterans lodge hall...

 

Our VFW inspects the DD-214 of each prospective member.
They must meet the criteria to join.
The back of the application is signed by three officers to verify they have inspected the DD-214. I am always one of the three.
I am a stickler for this. NO ONE gets in our post unless they qualify.