so I was corrected. Thank you and I wasn't aware of ATO and Kappa Sigma Kappa

To be honest, I think such fraternities would be a wonderful thing for college veterans. I think I would have a hard time explaining to an 18 year-old what it was like to have to shove two fingers into the neck of my fatally wounded friend to try to stop the bleeding, having him die before my eyes, only to get shot myself 5 minutes later (in case you're wondering, yes, this really happened). I've never heard of a club on a college campus for just veterans. And guys my age can't relate to the WW2 generation. They were such a great generation. I'm sure talking to guys that were raised on x-box and internet porn wouldn;t be the highlite of their day. Just a thought. I was starting to ramble...

Why must everything be a fraternity? Wouldn't a community group suffice?

I don't get that either. A special interest group is just that. Why does it have to be a fraternity or sorority? Any time a thread like this is posted, it never says anything about why it should be greek versus any other club.

For what it's worth, one of my chapter brothers is a Iraq veteran, he lost his arm. I don't think it inhibited him from connecting at all, I don't think you give 18 year-olds enough credit. He always said he wanted to be in a fraternity so he could regain the brotherhood he had in the service so I don't see why this need can't be filled with a traditional fraternity.

But like Legacy said, "...guys my age can't relate to the WW2 generation. They were such a great generation. I'm sure talking to guys that were raised on x-box and internet porn wouldn;t be the highlite of their day. Just a thought..."

But there are religious, service, ethnic, and even sexual orientation based fraternities. I don't see the problem with a military fraternity.

And it's not like he's suffering from founderitis like so many other people who post.

I think that one of the NIC fraternities was originally founded by all WWII vets, but over the years broadened its focus. Or it would have croaked.

This seems like a good idea NOW since there are a lot of college age vets, but God willing, hopefully that will no longer be the case soon. I know it's easier for fraternities to have a narrower focus than sororities, but if it's something that depends on what is happening in current culture - like combat vets coming home - rather than what someone IS, it's going to fall on hard times as soon as that circumstance no longer exists.

Any veteran can join the VFW or American Legion. They aren't limited to WWII vets, and I find it shocking that you seem to not realize that. If there are a lot of young veterans in your town, get them all to join and change up the complexion of the group. Someone has to run it when the old guys die!!

I hear this same bullshit about Masons/Shrine - "oh, I don't want to join, it's all old guys." Well mensa, if you and your young friends join and make an effort to get involved, IT WON'T BE. I'm sorry that there's no one begging you on bended knee to join and having an x-box/masturbate to internet porn night, but if that's what it takes to get you involved, the org is probably better off without you.

Sorry but this kind of self involved whininess chaps my hide. I'm pretty sure that when my dad joined the Legion, there were WWI vets still alive and active in the group, and he didn't whine about how he "couldn't relate" to them.

I'm not whining at all, just addressing my opinions/concerns. And for the record, I come from a very military family. Most of whom are involved with VFW. I've been around it and it's not my thing. Calm the f*ck down.

I definitely don't think this is a founderitis situation. The difference between the types of organizations you mentioned and this is the longevity of the need he wants to fill (like 33girl said).

I can understand that he wants this to be university based, making the VFW less than ideal, but I don't see why it just can't be a "Young Veterans Club" on campus. At most universities it only takes a few students and maybe a faculty adviser to start a recognized student organization. I just don't see why this group needs to take Greek letters and be a fraternity.

My Take: from a female Combat Vet
 

First, let me say, "Thank you for your service." I am also a Combat Veteran who spent time in Iraq during "Operation Iraqi Freedom" where I earned a few great medals, to include the Joint Service Achievement Medal (JSAM). So, I understand you are very proud of your accomplishments.

I just want to let you know that I went through recruitment at Penn State AFTER serving in Iraq. Many of the sorority women were very accepting of that fact. I'm thinking that if many WOMEN were accepting-many MEN would be. Please, however, don't assume that people won't know how to react to you because you are a Veteran.

I don't know how many times I have heard Combat Vets (especially men) use their military service as a way of pretty much acting condescending to people who never served in the military. Just because a man/ woman didn't serve his or her country does not mean he or she can't relate to you. This goes for people who try and use their military service as a means of saying that their on-line degree from nowhere university means more than someone's degree who went to a top notch school, simply because that person did not serve their country.

There are MANY organizations that would welcome a veteran. There does not need to be an organization, solely for veterans. Why? So, all of us can sit around and rehash our war experiences? You are a SigEp legacy, maybe you could try to rush SigEp or some other fine fraternity.

Theta Chi-Norwich, ATO-VMI, Sigma Nu-VMI, etc. There are many great men that would accept you so, please don't use the whole "I'm a combat veteran" as an excuse to attempt colonization of your own "Veteran's Fraternity"....you should really re-think that idea. Good Luck and...Once again, Thank you for your service.

First of all, thanks for your service. A lot of us have family that is/was military. I don't think anyone is saying anything against that or the amazing organizations that they are a part of. My grandpa was a WWII vet, my dad a Marine during Vietnam and my uncle is retired Navy. No one said that you had to join these orgs, so why don't you calm down? If you take the time to read what other people are saying you would see that A LOT of fraternities already accept vets. Every university, fraternity, and situation is different. There may not be a need for a vets fraternity.

A while ago someone posted that you should probably change your handle to one that doesn't represent any organization. I agree wholeheartedly. It's pretty ballsy to come on a greek website and say you're a legacy, it's another thing entirely to announce it in your screen name. You're lucky some SigEps haven't already torn you a new one and told you to change it.
My sister is an AOII legacy but if she ever walked around saying that or came to a message board I would hope to goodness people would say something to her. No one is saying it's not great that you're a legacy, but what if you decide to join another organization?

The truth of the matter is that you are NOT a SigEp and should not have their fraternity name in your screen name.

First and foremost, thank you for your dedication to the Nation. For the record, I never had any plans of colonization or anything of that nature. I was interested in peoples thoughts regarding the establishment of such a fraternity. You may be rite regarding my stance on talking to 18 year olds. However, a lot people that I talk to around that age and asks about my tours in Iraq asks "have you killed anyone?" or makes stupid remarks like, "Man, if I was there I would be killing everything." Like being in a freaking warzone is a party or something. That's why I don't tell people I'm in the military when I meet them. I only tell them when asked. Thank you for your insight. It was very helpful.

Hey, mine was too!

Hm that's a really good point.

Yeah, I got questions like that, too. It's because people are curious-we def. can't fault them for that. When someone asks, "So-what was Iraq like?" I say something like, "Hot!" or "Sandy!" That kind of lets them know that I don't want to talk about it. When people say, "Did you kill anyone?" I like to say, "You don't have the proper clearance for that information" because I was an Intelligence Analyst...lol...People will get the idea that it's not something you want them to harp on. Sure, I talked about it during rush but, then I would talk about my love for certain music or the fact that I love to travel. I also talked about being a double major and having a good GPA. Once you get passed the "Wow....you were in Iraq" you find that people are accepting of it. I really hate to say it this way but, honestly-as a Man-you have it much easier going through recruitment saying you are a war veteran than most women....it's a sexist remark and I'll probably get blasted for it...but, it really is true.

Men in the military are seen as "tough" and "cool"...whereas, women in the military are applauded but, unless you have family members who have/ are served/ serving-you might expect something else from an Army woman. If you could've seen the looks on the guys faces when I walked into the room after being bragged about for being a war vet-it was priceless. They said, "We didn't expect that at all." I was short, tan, had long hair, etc. They expected something totally different. They didn't expect such a "feminine" (in their words-not mine) looking war veteran. I'm glad I went through rush and it was the best experience of my life. I've met some great people in both my sorority and in others! I've met some great people on GreekChat that have given some great advice, as well.

So, if you can take my advice (and the advice of others) please change your username because I don't want to see people harassing you for being so ballsy. I think it's great you are a Legacy and I wish you the best of luck in recruitment/ rush (whatever it is they call it for the guys-sorry)!