Covenant of Courage Launches National Advocacy Campaign to Expose Systemic Discrimination Against Injured Veterans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kirk Carlson Founder, Covenant of Courage Phone: 323-471-7279Email: kirkbcarlson@covenantofcourage.com Website: www.covenantofcourage.com

Covenant of Courage Launches National Advocacy Campaign to Expose Systemic Discrimination Against Injured Veterans

Corona, CA – [May 1, 2025] – Covenant of Courage, a veteran-founded nonprofit dedicated to protecting the rights of service members, has launched a national campaign to expose systemic discrimination against injured military personnel who are denied reasonable accommodations and prematurely discharged.

The initiative—titled “Reasonable Ranks: The Right to Serve with Honor”—is led by founder Kirk Carlson, a medically discharged U.S. Marine Corps Aircraft Rescue Firefighter. Carlson was injured during service and reassigned to a dispatcher role while on light duty, a position in which he excelled. Despite his performance, he was forcibly discharged without being offered reassignment or a career transition, cutting short both his military career and future civilian employment opportunities.

“I was willing and able to continue serving—just not in combat gear,” said Carlson. “The military had an option. They chose to discard me instead.”

Covenant of Courage is now filing formal complaints with:

• The DoD Inspector General

• Congressional Armed Services Committees

• The VA Office of Inspector General

• The Department of Defense Equal Opportunity Office

• The Military Whistleblower Protection Hotline

These filings demand investigations into disability discharge practices, the failure to offer non-combat roles to injured personnel, and the resulting denial of long-term VA benefits and career opportunities.

Campaign Demands Include:

• A Career Continuation Waiver Program for injured troops to finish their service in non-combat or civilian roles

• Congressional oversight hearings on medical discharge trends from 2001–2025

• A retroactive review of veterans separated without consideration of reassignment

• Enforcement of DoD Instruction 1020.03 on reasonable accommodations

Covenant of Courage is also preparing a national petition and launching a video documentary to highlight these stories. The organization calls on policymakers, the public, and the media to stand behind those who served—and still want to serve.

About Covenant of Courage

Founded by USMC veteran Kirk Carlson, Covenant of Courage is a grassroots nonprofit committed to empowering veterans, youth, and first responders through advocacy, education, and crisis support. The organization champions just treatment, transition equity, and leadership development for those who risk everything in service to others.

For interviews, documentation, or media inquiries, contact Kirk Carlson at 323-471-7279 or kirkbcarlson@covenantofcourage.com.