Service Organizations / Associations lost their way?

**Eagle5US** · 01-24-2025, 08:50

Open discussion; thoughts encouraged.

Stopped into a local DAV the other day, being 100% P&T, sat at the bar to order a beer.
"Are you a paid member here?"
No, I'm a Disabled Veteran. Here is my VA card, Mil Retired ID card, and my car sitting outside has a DAV plate.
"Sorry, doesn't matter is you are a veteran of not. Not a member, won't serve you. You can apply for membership , pay $50, and we can have a vote next meeting."

Stopped into the VFW to see about membership (close to the house, $2 draft).
"You retired?
Yes
"How long were you in? What did you do?"
30 years, Special Operations Medicine
"Really? Hey BOB! We got another fake green beanie poser wanting to apply!"
Yeah, never mind. You guys have a good day.
"You too, no one like getting called out"

Applied to SOA not long ago, was encouraged to so I figured "why not?". Sent in my stuff DD214 / ORB / CMB stuff / deployment stuff, accompanying photos...
"Thank you for your application, you are welcome to be an associate."

I guess my patrols, enemy contact, direct ODA combat support and combat experience with the 6th Afghan Commandos wasn't "dangerous enough" to be considered "real"

When I was hurt 4 years ago - te only organization that stepped up to help my family and I was the USASOC support office from MacDill. Weeks in the ICU, months relearning to walk, needed EXPENSIVE specialty equipment at home.... USASOC Medical heard about it (somehow) and stepped in / up to help us.

I share these "occurrences" as I wonder what has become of the whole system that used to support Veterans once out of the service. THe organizations that were to continue that air of camaraderie. The GB Parachute club at Bragg has fond memories of this from when I was stationed there...(no clue what it is like now.)

Everyplace seems to be a dick measuring contest, and that's fine. I'll keep my little nub out of the running. Looking at the overall repeat experiences, I can't figure the purpose for the attitudes being displayed across the board anymore.

A discussion topic - nothing more.

cbtengr · 01-24-2025, 09:23

That is beyond sad I cannot speak for the DAV or the SOA but I am a life member of the VFW and those assholes need to be called out. I understand the need to vet people but you vet them before you call anyone a poser. These veterans organizations bemoan the fact that people are reluctant to join, having read about your experience it is easy to understand why. I hope you will followup and call all of them out. Thanks for sharing with us.

**PRB** · 01-24-2025, 10:46

Try the American Legion..... here, in my small town, we have an outside court and as folks walk by ask them if they are vets...it so, come on in, we'll sponsor you for a beer and get you signed up if you want.

Our small town, Wickenburg Az, had more new members last year than any Legion in the US.

It comes down to the same thing always...leadership sets the tone.

TACJAM · 01-24-2025, 11:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle5US

Open discussion; thoughts encouraged.

Stopped into a local DAV the other day, being 100% P&T, sat at the bar to order a beer.
"Are you a paid member here?"
No, I'm a Disabled Veteran. Here is my VA card, Mil Retired ID card, and my car sitting outside has a DAV plate.
"Sorry, doesn't matter is you are a veteran of not. Not a member, won't serve you. You can apply for membership , pay $50, and we can have a vote next meeting."

.

Can't speak as to the others, but DAV's refusal to serve you may have been based on the type of liquor license it had. Some licenses for private clubs, social clubs, etc. prohibit sale of alcohol to non-members; or even prohibit non-members from sitting at the "bar".

**PRB** · 01-24-2025, 11:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by TACJAM

Can't speak as to the others, but DAV's refusal to serve you may have been based on the type of liquor license it had. Some licenses for private clubs, social clubs, etc. prohibit sale of alcohol to non-members; or even prohibit non-members from sitting at the "bar".

That is true in Az as the legion, and I suspect those others, are considered 'private clubs' under State law and there are separate rules for private clubs as it relates to liquor sales and regs.

e.g. Against the law to smoke in a restaurant/bar in Az..... you can smoke in the Legion as it's a private club but can only serve members and their guests.

**Eagle5US** · 01-24-2025, 12:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by TACJAM

Can't speak as to the others, but DAV's refusal to serve you may have been based on the type of liquor license it had. Some licenses for private clubs, social clubs, etc. prohibit sale of alcohol to non-members; or even prohibit non-members from sitting at the "bar".

Interesting....Thx

MR2 · 01-28-2025, 21:32

I don’t want to belong to any club that would accept me as one of its members - Groucho Marx

**Eagle5US** · 01-30-2025, 10:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR2

I don’t want to belong to any club that would accept me as one of its members - Groucho Marx

Not THAT is funny

MR2 · 01-30-2025, 13:44

I'd like to point out that USAA has lost its way too.

Several reports in San Antonio press, along with my experiences, make me very leary of their viability.

sfshooter · 01-31-2025, 08:36

I joined the Special Forces Association some years back and recently upgraded to a life membership. Our chapter does some good things, mainly sponsoring/paying for retreats/respites for active duty special ops and their families.

I'm busy a lot of the times when we have our annual banquet and don't get to attend as much as I like but overall my experience has been good. I've met some really good dudes.

**Eagle5US** · 01-31-2025, 19:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR2

I'd like to point out that USAA has lost its way too.

Several reports in San Antonio press, along with my experiences, make me very leary of their viability.

I ended up leaving them after 29years...

**Roguish Lawyer** · 02-02-2025, 11:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR2

I'd like to point out that USAA has lost its way too.

Several reports in San Antonio press, along with my experiences, make me very leary of their viability.

Really? I love USAA, at least the insurance side of the company. Curious what happened to change your views . . .

7624U · 02-02-2025, 16:16

My biggest gripe with all the many veteran clubs is none of them speak with one voice up to the VA or Congress, they all have separate agenda's or talking points trying as Eagle said (jocking for bigger dick measurements). The American Legion really should be the one voice that all the other organizations have a represented member come in twice a year for a vote at the Legions national HQ for the agenda they want to pitch for the year. The American Legion was also chartered by congress and is the largest in the nation.

Just my 2cents

MR2 · 02-02-2025, 23:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roguish Lawyer

Really? I love USAA, at least the insurance side of the company. Curious what happened to change your views . . .

No doubt, USAA has been a blessing. Especially the first 20 years.

I have approximately 14.7 million pieces of Army documents w my SSN/DOB/First/Middle/Last name, etc on them - just like a lot of you guys. When I was in, our SSN was required to be printed on our checks and when USAA sent our statements by mail, that SNN was on the front of the envelope.

Today, that is not happening for obvious reasons. Of course, securing our SSN is mute because someone working for the CCP posted all our private information on the dark web.

Did you know that during the last 45 years, you could start to verify your identity w USAA by giving your SSN and DOB? Yes, they have introduced several additional checks and steps - but it still irks the hell out of me when they ask for my SSN.

Did you know that USAA had a Chairman's Resolutions Office? You could ask to be transferred to that office to voice complaints/concerns. About two years ago, that office has disappeared. You ask to be transferred, and associates have never heard of it, nor can they find the number.

I'm not safe with a smartphone. One, my fingers are 20mm, second, they keep switching the red/green colors for call/hangup (Grrr), and third, my phone hates me. Did you know you cannot setup an automatic payment from your checking account online or by phone? You have to use the damn App. I think that's an ADA violation...

Did you know that last year, USAA revoked a members' membership i.e. unbanked him, cancelled his insurance, w/o prior notice? The reason was he was disbarred by political lawfare because he was a legal advisor to Pres Trump 45.

15 years ago, we had a bad hail storm. They covered it and sent the check. We got a great roofer started. USAA cancelled the check because they had too many losses and would resend the check in 60 days. In 60 days, all the good roofers were booked and all that was available was the fly-by-nights... Shitty job cause numerous house problems over the years - that USAA refuses to cover. Grrr!

Sometimes I spend ten minutes trying to get anywhere w that automated phone attendant. (Watch your blood pressure, MR2). The Online site is really efficient. Too bad I can't access it. They keep canceling our passwords (even w two-factor verification) I can never remember what they made me change it too. Should be an ADA violation! LOL

You can unearth more by searching "USAA" at the various San Antonio news organizations.