Reforming the UCMJ to Respect Disability Rights: A Call for Military Justice That Includes Everyone
- Kirk Carlson
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
🛡️
By Covenant of Courage | #ReasonableRanks Campaign
In a nation built on principles of equality and justice, our military must be held to the same standards—especially when it comes to how it treats service members with disabilities. Yet for too many, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) becomes a tool for dismissal rather than protection.
The #ReasonableRanks campaign is leading the call to reform the UCMJ so it honors disability rights and ensures that injured trainees and non-deployable service members are offered reassignment—not rejection.
⚖️ Where the UCMJ Fails Our Injured
The UCMJ governs military conduct and separations. However, it currently allows branches to discharge service members for injuries—often sustained in the line of duty or during training—without offering alternatives like reassignment.
Unlike civilian workplaces, the military is exempt from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), meaning:
No required reasonable accommodations
No reassignment review
No due process for disability-based separations
Injured recruits are routinely pushed out early, denied VA benefits, and left behind—often before completing 180 days of service.
🔁 The #ReasonableRanks Policy Proposal
We are urging Congress to amend the UCMJ by introducing legislation that:
✅ Requires a Reassignment Review Board before any medical separation
✅ Aligns UCMJ disability practices with federal anti-discrimination standards
✅ Protects injured recruits and early trainees from Entry-Level Separation loopholes
✅ Prioritizes continued service in administrative, cyber, and support roles for those who are able and willing
🧭 Why This Reform Matters
Justice: Those injured in service shouldn’t be punished for their sacrifice
Efficiency: Reassigning trained service members is smarter than replacing them
Morality: Our troops deserve the same protections we demand in civilian life
Readiness: There are roles across the Armed Forces where non-deployable members can continue to serve with honor
✊ Take Action Now
We need your voice to push this reform forward.
📝 Sign the petition today: https://chng.it/5yXYvkBtMR
📢 Learn more and take action: www.covenantofcourage.com/reasonableranks-action
📬 Share this message with your reps and fellow Americans
💬 Final Word
“Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill
Let’s bring that courage into the halls of Congress and build a military justice system that values every service member’s potential, not just their deployability.
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