Injured, Not Insubordinate: Why the Military Must Offer Reassignment Over Discharge

By Kirk Carlson | USMC Veteran | Founder, Covenant of Courage

In the United States military, we are taught never to leave a service member behind. But what happens when a Marine is injured during training? When a soldier develops a chronic illness stateside? Too often, these men and women are not given support or reassignment—they’re discharged and forgotten.

This isn’t just a personnel issue. It’s a moral failure.

The Problem No One Wants to Talk About

Across every branch of service, non-deployable status is treated as the end of the line. Service members who sustain injuries—whether in combat zones, at stateside bases, or during physically demanding training exercises—are often deemed unfit for duty, regardless of their potential to serve in alternative roles.

They’re not given options. They’re not offered meaningful transition support. They’re simply discharged. Not dishonorably, perhaps—but dishonorably overlooked.

As a medically retired Marine, I know this story all too well. And I know I’m not alone.

The Department of Defense has upheld a policy standard that treats deployability as the gold measure of military utility. But warfighting is only one part of what makes the military function. Logistics. Instruction. Cybersecurity. Operations planning. Recruitment. These critical areas don’t require perfect physical health—they require commitment, experience, and knowledge. Traits injured service members still possess.

What We’re Losing

When the military discharges experienced personnel because of medical status alone, it loses:

• Institutional knowledge that takes years to replace

• Training investments that cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars per service member

• The chance to do right by those who swore an oath and held up their end

Even worse, many of these veterans leave without adequate VA support. Some have service-connected injuries that the VA has yet to recognize. Others slip through cracks in the bureaucracy. Without proper transition planning, they face homelessness, joblessness, and deteriorating health.

This isn’t just inefficient. It’s inhumane.

The Mission: #ReasonableRanks

That’s why I founded the #ReasonableRanks campaign—an initiative calling on Congress, the Department of Defense, and military leadership to create a career reassignment pathway for injured, non-deployable personnel.

We’re advocating for a system that mirrors other public service institutions. When police officers are injured in the line of duty, they aren’t discarded—they’re reassigned. When firefighters can no longer charge into burning buildings, they often move into training or inspection roles. Why shouldn’t the military afford its own the same respect?

The campaign doesn’t call for relaxing standards in combat roles. It calls for expanding opportunity in support and institutional roles that are mission-critical and already exist—many of which face staffing shortages.

What We’re Asking For

We are advocating for:

• Reassignment over discharge for injured personnel who can still contribute in non-combat capacities

• Full VA benefits for all service-connected conditions, regardless of deployment history

• Recognition and dignity for service members who were willing to deploy but were injured before the chance

• Legislation that codifies reassignment options across all service branches, using medical discharge only as a last resort

Progress and Support

Since launching, the #ReasonableRanks petition has gained bipartisan support—from Republicans and Democrats alike—along with growing momentum among veterans, students, and community leaders. We’ve reached 176 signatures and counting, engaged media outlets, and submitted a policy white paper to key legislative offices.

But signatures alone don’t change policy. Action does.

A Smarter, More Just Military

In an era where recruiting and retention are at crisis levels, it makes no sense to discard loyal service members who want to continue contributing. Reassignment isn’t just compassionate—it’s strategic. It shows that the military honors all forms of service, not just battlefield action.

We say we “support our troops.” That must include the ones who got hurt training to protect us.

It’s time to build a smarter, more just military personnel system—one that reassigns instead of rejects. One that recognizes that injury does not mean inability. And one that remembers the people behind the uniforms.

🖊️ Sign the Petition: https://chng.it/5yXYvkBtMR

🌐 Learn More: www.ReasonableRanks.org

📣 Join the Movement: #ReasonableRanks #VeteransMatter #InjuredNotInsubordinate