Should a Young Veteran Inside a Veterans Organization?
Gift
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a military veteran as an old soldier of long service or a former member of the armed forces. When most of us imagine a Veterans Organization we picture the old soldier. We associate these groups with the WWII veteran that is now in his 80s and proudly displays the brand of his service unit on the tall brim of his cap. The facts of the matter is the average age of a "former member of the armed forces" is much younger. According to Va statistics over 60% of veterans are under the age of 65. There are many reasons why those younger veterans should are part of a Veterans Organization.
veteran
A veterans organization is a community which provides services to former members of the military in addition to their families. While the Veterans Administration does not directly endorse any Veterans or Military Service Organization they actually do provide a list of 50 plus such organizations and encourage membership and cooperation with these veterans groups. Regardless of this encouragement membership at a veterans organization like the American Legion has steadily declined over the last five decades. From its peak of three.3 million in 1946, membership has declined for the current level of 2.6 million. While some of these statistics are the result of demographics, these organizations are seeking approaches to become more attractive and relevant to a younger veteran.
In October of 2010 VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki praised the work of Student Veterans of America (SVA), a veterans organization that advocates for Veterans seeking better jobs and much better futures through education. SVA just like the rest has a stated purpose of ensuring that every veteran is prosperous after their military service. But most likely the most important benefit of belonging to a veterans organization like SVA is their stated objective of providing a peer to look network. Much like college fraternities, a business can benefit the young veteran by simply providing a framework for staying connected with other veterans.
Service organizations such as the VFW offer member benefits on from discounted haircuts to employment assistance. However the biggest benefit a new veteran will see is the relationships he or she can forge along with other veterans. As a person in an organization, young veterans will establish important relationships. Returning military service members often find it difficult to transition from military service and re-connect with all the community. A veterans organization can bridge the visible difference with opportunities to serve town through civilian service and community events.
All veterans should become a member of a veterans organization. By joining forces along with other veterans after discharge they will stay connected with their military service and fully reap the benefits they deserve from that service. Friendships or perhaps a mentor relationship could be formed where a younger veteran advantages of the wisdom and friendship of an older veteran. But even though a busy young veteran cannot attend regular meetings they can still profit from the knowledge and advocacy a veterans organization provides.