Honky Tonk Bar Associations – The Common Veterans Podcast

Don't worry—we aren’t showing up in boots to ruin their black-tie affairs. But we do see these organizations for what they are, and in this episode, we break down the VFW, DAV, American Legion, and even our own FreedomSystem.org. What do they do well? Where do they fall short? And most importantly, how can they actually help Veterans?

Breaking Down the Big Names

• VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) – Open to combat veterans, great for camaraderie and advocacy, but struggles with modernization.
• American Legion – Open to all who served, active in local events and scholarships, but some posts feel outdated.
• DAV (Disabled American Veterans) – Focused on service-connected vets, excellent for claims assistance but lacks the social aspect.
• FreedomSystem.org – Open to anyone with a DD-214, offering camaraderie programs (Combatives, Mountain & Road Biking, Youth Baseball, Common Veterans), plus unique events like Battle of the Bands and Battle of the Meats.
• Other Notables – AMVETS, Marine Corps League, VVA, and other niche veteran organizations.

What They Actually Do for Veterans

• VA Claims & Support – Who actually helps veterans navigate the VA system?
• Camaraderie & Community – Some posts are thriving, others feel like retirement homes. Why?
• Legislative Advocacy – Which orgs are truly fighting for veterans in Washington?
• Financial & Emergency Assistance – What’s out there for vets who need urgent help?
• Employment & Transition Programs – Some are great, others barely exist. Who’s stepping up?

Where the Disconnect Happens

Why do so many of these places feel outdated and unwelcoming to younger veterans? The struggle is real when it comes to engagement, leadership stagnation, and adapting to the new generation of veterans.

Making These Orgs Work for Us

• Younger Vets Taking Charge – How can we change these organizations instead of letting them fade?
• Adapting to Stay Relevant – What needs to change to bring these groups into the future?
• FreedomSystem.org Leading the Way – What we're doing differently to keep veterans engaged and supported.

Final Thoughts & Next Episode

If we don’t step up, these organizations either die out or continue the same cycle of irrelevance. So, what’s the solution? Tune in for our breakdown, share your thoughts, and get involved.

Next Episode: Hollywood – We take on military movies, what they get right, and what they get horribly wrong.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or your favorite podcast platform.