🛡️ Constitutional Solutions for Military Disability Injustice

By Covenant of Courage | #ReasonableRanks Campaign

The men and women who swear an oath to support and defend the Constitution often find themselves denied the very rights it promises—especially when they are injured in uniform.

Military disability injustice is not just a bureaucratic failure—it is a civil rights issue. Discharge policies that deny fair reassignment, limit access to benefits, and dismiss those injured during training or pregnancy conflict with the foundational principles of equal protection, due process, and non-discrimination enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.

It’s time to demand constitutional accountability in how we treat our non-deployable service members.

⚖️ The 14th Amendment: Equal Protection Under the Law

The Equal Protection Clause guarantees that no person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws. Yet injured or disabled service members—especially women, minorities, and those discharged during training—often receive drastically unequal treatment.

• Service members injured in combat are usually granted full benefits

• Those injured in training may receive nothing, even if the injury is permanent

• Pregnant service members are discharged without reassignment options, while others in similar conditions are accommodated

Solution:

Congress and the DoD must adopt policies that guarantee equal treatment for all injured service members, regardless of deployment status, gender, or how early the injury occurred.

🏛️ The 5th Amendment: Due Process Before Discharge

The 5th Amendment protects individuals from being deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. For many service members, a medical or administrative discharge means the loss of:

• A career

• Healthcare

• Housing benefits

• Educational access (GI Bill)

• Future job prospects

Yet many are discharged without a clear appeals process, legal representation, or the ability to present evidence in their defense. Some are not even told what they’re losing.

Solution:

Military branches must be required to provide a transparent, appealable process before any discharge due to medical or pregnancy-related conditions—and ensure injured service members understand and access their rights.

🧑‍⚖️ The 1st Amendment: Petitioning for Redress

The Constitution guarantees citizens the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. Yet many injured service members and veterans are unaware of how to navigate the VA appeals system or how to challenge a wrongful discharge. Others are discouraged from speaking out due to stigma, retaliation, or lack of legal support.

Solution:

Fund and expand independent legal advocacy for service members facing discharge, including protections for whistleblowers and safe channels to report discharge injustices.

📜 Aligning Military Policy with Constitutional Principles

If the Constitution protects civil liberties, why do those protections disappear at the gates of military installations?

Military necessity should never be used as a blanket justification to ignore constitutional rights. Yes, discipline and readiness are essential—but so are fairness, dignity, and justice for those willing to risk everything in service to their country.

🛠️ Policy Reforms the Constitution Demands

The #ReasonableRanks campaign proposes the following constitutional-aligned reforms:

• ✅ Reassignment instead of discharge for non-deployable service members

• ✅ Recognition of injuries sustained in training, not just combat

• ✅ Full access to VA benefits for anyone injured while actively serving

• ✅ Due process protections before medical or administrative discharge

• ✅ Transparency and accountability across DoD discharge procedures

💬 Final Word: The Constitution Doesn’t End at the Uniform

We must reject the idea that those in uniform are less entitled to their rights. When we send young men and women to serve, we owe them more than a discharge and denial letter when they’re injured—we owe them constitutional protection, compassionate reassignment, and a pathway to continue contributing with dignity.

✍️ Take Action

📌 Sign the Petition → https://chng.it/5yXYvkBtMR

🌐 Learn More → www.covenantofcourage.com

📣 Share this message with #ReasonableRanks and help bring constitutional justice to military discharge reform.