“I Still Had More to Give” — The Emotional Cost of Forced Military Separation
- Kirk Carlson
- 12 minutes ago
- 2 min read
“I Still Had More to Give” — The Emotional Cost of Forced Military Separation
By Kirk Carlson, USMC Veteran | Founder, Covenant of Courage
“I still had more to give.”
That single sentence captures the heartbreak felt by thousands of veterans across the country—veterans who were discharged not because they chose to leave, but because injury left them unable to meet the same physical standards required for combat roles.
What the system fails to acknowledge is this: readiness is not just physical. Readiness is experience. It’s leadership. It’s loyalty, discipline, and the ability to support the mission from many angles—not just the front lines.
The individual featured in this image—a fictional composite inspired by real testimonies—is the voice of so many:
“I didn’t ask to be injured. But after years of service, one injury meant everything I worked for was taken away. No reassignment. No second chance. Just a discharge and a lost future.”
The emotional cost of this kind of separation runs deep.
Loss of purpose
Loss of identity
Loss of benefits, retirement, and dignity
Why #ReasonableRanks Exists
The #ReasonableRanks campaign was created to challenge this systemic failure.
We’re calling on the Department of Defense and Congress to:
Create reassignment options for injured veterans who can still serve
Protect retirement and healthcare benefits for those forced out due to injury
Recognize all forms of service—combat and support alike
No veteran should be left feeling discarded. No career should end without options. No injury should erase a lifetime of service.
What You Can Do
Sign the petition: https://chng.it/5yXYvkBtMR
Share this story with someone who believes in justice for all veterans
Honor those still willing to serve, even if their path looks different than before
Together, we can change the narrative.
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