Could Reforming Military Discharge Policies Save Lives?

By Covenant of Courage | #ReasonableRanks

Every year, thousands of U.S. service members are discharged due to injuries, illnesses, or psychological conditions that render them non-deployable. These discharges—often labeled as “administrative separations” or “medical discharges”—can leave veterans feeling discarded, misunderstood, and unsupported at one of the most vulnerable times in their lives. But what if the system didn’t push them out? What if, instead, it reimagined their value?

A System That Ends Service Too Soon

Under current Department of Defense policies, troops who cannot meet deployment standards are often funneled out of service—even when their skills remain highly valuable in non-combat roles. This approach doesn’t just waste talent; it can cost lives.

The transition from active duty to civilian life is difficult enough. But for those discharged due to injury or mental health struggles, the risk of isolation, unemployment, and suicide increases dramatically. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an average of 17 veterans die by suicide every day. Many of them were discharged prematurely, without a full pathway to recovery or reintegration.

Reassignment, Not Rejection

Reforming discharge policies to include reasonable reassignment options—similar to accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)—could offer injured service members a continued sense of purpose, connection, and dignity. This is the heart of the #ReasonableRanks campaign, which advocates for service continuation in roles like cybersecurity, logistics, training, IT, and administration.

Veterans with traumatic brain injuries, PTSD, or physical impairments can still lead, teach, or support missions from the home front. They don’t need to be sidelined—they need to be repurposed.

The Human and Economic Cost

Discharge reform isn’t just about fairness. It’s also about saving lives and saving resources. The military spends tens of thousands of dollars training each recruit. To lose that investment due to non-deployable status—without first exploring reassignment—undermines both financial efficiency and troop morale.

Moreover, early discharge increases reliance on VA services, homelessness programs, and crisis intervention. Keeping qualified personnel in uniform, even in adjusted roles, offers a smarter long-term strategy.

From Crisis to Culture Shift

Advocates are calling for a cultural shift in how the military defines readiness and value. By moving beyond the binary view of “deployable or discharged,” we open the door to compassion, innovation, and retention of mission-critical skills.

Reform won’t just change policy—it could save lives.

📌 Want to help support the push for reform?

📝 Sign the petition → https://chng.it/5yXYvkBtMR

🌐 Learn more → www.covenantofcourage.com/reasonableranks-action

📣 Use the hashtag → #ReasonableRanks

Let’s honor all who served by giving them more than a discharge—we owe them a future.