🛡️ Our Civil Rights Charter: A Call for Equal Treatment

From Covenant of Courage and the #ReasonableRanks Campaign

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Preamble

We, the undersigned veterans, family members, advocates, and citizens, believe in a nation that honors all who serve—not just when they enlist, deploy, or return, but especially when they are injured, non-deployable, or in need of transition support.

In the spirit of the U.S. Constitution, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), we launch this charter to expose and reform systemic practices that result in the unjust discharge and marginalization of disabled service members.

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Core Principles

1.

Equal Dignity for Injured Service Members

Military members injured during training or service, who can no longer meet deployment standards, should not be cast aside. They deserve reassignment opportunities and career pathways that align with their abilities.

2.

Reasonable Accommodation is a Right

We call for military alignment with the spirit of the ADA—even if not legally bound—by establishing policies that allow for reasonable accommodations and reassignment in lieu of administrative discharge.

3.

Due Process Before Discharge

No career-ending decision should be made solely on the basis of temporary or service-connected medical limitations (e.g., PT failure, non-deployability) without a transparent review process that includes the possibility of reassignment.

4.

Transition with Dignity

Service members should receive robust transition assistance, VA support, and counseling—especially if they are medically retired or administratively discharged due to injury.

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What We Demand

✅ A DoD-wide Reassignment Policy for non-deployable service members who can still contribute in administrative, technical, or training roles.

✅ Congressional Hearings into the use of Physical Training (PT) failure and non-deployability as grounds for termination without reassignment options.

✅ VA Collaboration to ensure that discharges related to service-connected injuries don’t result in delayed or denied compensation and benefits.

✅ An Independent Review Board to assess disability-related administrative discharges and offer corrective pathways when injustice is found.

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Why This Matters

• Thousands of service members are discharged every year not because they are unwilling to serve—but because of injuries they sustained while serving.

• Many of these troops could continue contributing in valuable roles, yet are separated without reassignment, transition support, or full benefits.

• This disproportionately impacts wounded warriors, minority veterans, LGBTQ+ troops, and those with invisible disabilities like PTSD or chronic pain.

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Join Us

We are building a movement—not just to change policy, but to defend the values of honor, loyalty, and courage.

🖋️ Sign the petition: https://chng.it/5yXYvkBtMR

🌐 Learn more: www.ReasonableRanks.org

“No service member should be punished for getting hurt while serving their country.”

— Covenant of Courage

• This article is part of a peaceful civil rights campaign protected under the First Amendment. The information provided is for educational and advocacy purposes.