Reassignment vs. Discharge: What Veterans Actually Need

By Covenant of Courage – #ReasonableRanks Campaign

When a service member becomes injured, ill, or non-deployable, the military faces a critical decision: reassign or discharge? That choice is more than a paperwork formality—it determines a veteran’s future, dignity, and ability to recover. Unfortunately, current military policy overwhelmingly leans toward discharge, often leaving those who served with shattered purpose, lost benefits, and an uphill civilian struggle.

It doesn’t have to be this way. What veterans actually need is reassignment—not rejection.

💥 The Problem with Discharge

Each year, thousands of service members are medically discharged not because of misconduct, but because of injuries, mental health conditions, or identity-related barriers that limit deployability. Many of these individuals want to continue serving in non-combat roles—logistics, training, administration, IT, emergency management—but are instead removed from service entirely.

The consequences?

• Loss of military income and housing

• Loss of identity, community, and mission

• Higher risk of suicide, homelessness, and isolation

• Increased mental health decline and stigma

• Barriers to accessing earned benefits

💡 The Case for Reassignment

Reassignment acknowledges a simple truth: not all warriors wear the same uniform, carry a rifle, or deploy abroad. Some fight their battles behind the scenes—in classrooms, operations centers, and crisis management hubs.

Reassignment would:

✅ Preserve the dignity of wounded and disabled service members

✅ Retain institutional knowledge and experience

✅ Uphold the promise of no one left behind

✅ Align with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) values

✅ Support recovery and continued contribution to the mission

There are hundreds of vital military roles that do not require deployment or strenuous physical demands. Yet, service members with minor profiles or manageable conditions are discharged, rather than given a pathway to continue serving in a modified role.

📊 What the Data Shows

According to the Defense Health Agency, over 150,000 service members have been discharged since 2001 due to medical or psychological conditions, many of which could have been accommodated. Studies also show that veterans discharged involuntarily face higher rates of unemployment and suicide within five years of separation.

🎯 What Veterans Are Asking For

Veterans across the nation are not asking for pity. They’re asking for policy reform that reflects reality:

• A national reassignment policy for non-deployable personnel

• Independent legal and medical review boards for discharge decisions

• Integration of ADA and Section 504 compliance into military HR protocols

• Protection from stigma, retaliation, and career-ending labels

✊ It’s Time for a Fair Discharge Policy

The #ReasonableRanks campaign is fighting for a new approach—one that values wounded service members and gives them the option to serve with honor in new capacities. Discharge shouldn’t be the default. Reassignment should be the first question asked.

📣 Support the Movement:

📩 Contact us: support@reasonableranks.org

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

🌐 Learn more: www.covenantofcourage.com

Veterans stood for us. Now we must stand for them.

Reassignment gives them purpose. Discharge leaves them behind.

Let’s choose courage. Let’s choose justice. Let’s choose change.

#ReasonableRanks #VeteranJustice #DisabilityRights #ReformTheDischarge #CovenantOfCourage #MilitaryReform #FairDischargeNow #HoldTheDoDAccountable #NoOneLeftBehind #ADACompliance #LeadWithPurpose