How JLBC Cadet Corps and Covenant of Courage Embody FEMA’s Core Values

At the heart of both JLBC Cadet Corps and Covenant of Courage lies a commitment to building leaders, serving communities, and preparing for the challenges of tomorrow. This mission aligns seamlessly with the FEMA Core Values of Compassion, Fairness, Integrity, and Respect, ensuring that every cadet, veteran, and community member we work with benefits from a safe, inclusive, and purpose-driven environment.

1. Compassion

FEMA’s value of compassion is rooted in empathy, understanding, and action.

In JLBC Cadet Corps, compassion is more than a principle—it’s a practice. Our veteran-led instructors mentor cadets through personal challenges, encourage peer-to-peer support, and ensure that no young leader is left behind. Covenant of Courage extends this same care to veterans in crisis, providing recovery workshops, fitness programs, and leadership pathways that help them rebuild confidence and community connection.

2. Fairness

Fairness means creating equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of background or circumstances.

Our programs reach underserved and at-risk youth, ensuring access to leadership development, emergency preparedness training, and public service opportunities. We maintain clear, transparent processes for selection, advancement, and recognition—reflecting FEMA’s commitment to equitable treatment in every training and learning environment.

3. Integrity

Integrity is the cornerstone of trust and leadership.

Cadets in JLBC are taught to “do the right thing, even when no one is watching,” whether it’s during a disaster drill, a service project, or in daily life. Covenant of Courage operates with transparency in its advocacy efforts, financial stewardship, and community programs—ensuring that our actions consistently match our mission.

4. Respect

Respect creates an environment where all individuals feel valued and heard.

In the JLBC Cadet Corps classroom, respect is demonstrated through teamwork, disciplined communication, and inclusion in group activities. In Covenant of Courage’s veteran programs, respect means honoring each participant’s service and life experiences, while maintaining a supportive environment free from discrimination, harassment, or intimidation—mirroring FEMA’s expectations for conduct across all learning environments.

A Shared Mission for Prepared, Compassionate Leaders

By embedding FEMA’s core values into everything we do, JLBC Cadet Corps and Covenant of Courage prepare leaders who are ready to respond with skill and humanity—whether in times of crisis, in their careers, or within their communities. Together, we are building a future workforce and citizenry rooted in service, responsibility, and resilience.