Injured, Not Invalid: Why Supporting Veterans Means Reimagining What Service Looks Like

Injured, Not Invalid: Why Supporting Veterans Means Reimagining What Service Looks Like”

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

Recently, a comment aimed at our #ReasonableRanks campaign said, “If you can’t meet the physical standards, you should no longer be a soldier… Living the life of a parasite.” It went on to call injured veterans liabilities, insult public servants, and dismiss the idea that non-combat military roles are legitimate or valuable.

As painful as that was to read, it reminded us exactly why this campaign exists.

Let’s be clear:

• No one is asking to put someone with a knee replacement on the front line.

• We are not lowering standards for combat troops.

• We are fighting for veterans who are still skilled, trained, and mentally fit to be reassigned into support, logistics, admin, instructional, tech, or advisory roles that keep our military operational.

The truth is:

The U.S. military is more than just boots on the ground. It’s analysts, supply chain managers, instructors, communications specialists, and administrators. Without them, the front line doesn’t exist. And many of those roles can be filled by injured veterans who still want to serve, even if they can’t run a PFT anymore.

Telling a veteran they’re a “liability” because they got hurt in service is not just offensive—it’s un-American.

Here’s what we believe:

• Injured does not mean invalid.

• You can serve differently and still serve with honor.

• Career continuation is not entitlement. It’s respect.

We created #ReasonableRanks to push for:

• Non-combat reassignment options

• Protection of retirement benefits

• Dignified policies that see injured veterans as assets, not burdens

If you’ve ever been told you’re “no longer useful” after your injury—this movement is for you. And if you believe service should be met with support, not stigma—we welcome you to stand with us.

Join the campaign. Sign the petition. Share your story.

https://chng.it/5yXYvkBtMR

#ReasonableRanks | #VeteranJustice | #SupportAllWhoServe | #InjuredNotInvalid