The Case for Military Discharge Reform in the U.S.
- Kirk Carlson
- May 18
- 2 min read
The Case for Military Discharge Reform in the U.S.
By Kirk Carlson, USMC Veteran | Founder, Covenant of Courage
When American service members are injured in the line of duty, most citizens assume they’ll be taken care of—that their years of sacrifice, discipline, and courage will be honored with continued opportunity, meaningful reassignment, or a dignified transition.
But for thousands of injured veterans, that’s not the reality.
Instead, many are pushed out through medical discharge processes that fail to recognize their remaining capabilities. They are cut off from their careers, their communities, and in many cases, their earned retirement benefits. This is not just a bureaucratic flaw—it’s a moral failure.
It’s time for military discharge reform in the United States.
The Problem: Injury Too Often Means Exile
Current Department of Defense policy treats many injuries—especially those that impact physical readiness—as automatic disqualifiers for continued service. Even if a veteran could thrive in a support or administrative role, the system offers little to no path for reassignment.
The result? Highly trained, experienced personnel are:
Medically discharged against their will
Denied access to non-combat career continuation
Forced to start over with no clear direction, often with incomplete benefits
This system fails those who gave everything—and still wanted to give more.
The Human Cost of a Broken System
Imagine serving 12, 15, or 18 years—only to be told your career is over because of an injury you sustained doing your duty. You lose not only your role and rank, but your retirement eligibility, health support structure, and sense of purpose.
For many veterans, this forced exit leads to:
Loss of identity
Financial instability
Increased rates of depression and suicide
Barriers to reemployment in civilian life
These are not isolated incidents. They are systemic outcomes of a policy that prioritizes physical perfection over continued contribution.
The Solution: Career Continuation and Discharge Reform
We need a smarter, more compassionate model—one that recognizes that service doesn’t always mean combat, and injury doesn’t mean inability.
Military discharge reform should include:
Non-combat reassignment programs for those who can still serve in support, training, technical, or leadership roles
Clear continuation waivers for injured service members nearing retirement
Expanded counseling and transition support that treats medical discharge as a pivot—not a punishment
Oversight and accountability to ensure fair and consistent discharge decisions
What We’re Fighting For: #ReasonableRanks
Through the #ReasonableRanks campaign, veterans and allies across the country are pushing for this kind of reform. We’re sharing stories, building coalitions, and collecting signatures to show Congress and the Department of Defense that this issue matters—and must be addressed.
Because no one should be discarded after years of honorable service.
Because support roles are service, too.
Because the cost of ignoring this issue is too high—not just for veterans, but for the future of our armed forces.
Take Action
If you believe in dignity, fairness, and second chances for those who served:
Sign the petition: https://chng.it/5yXYvkBtMR
Share this article
Talk to your representatives about the need for discharge reform
Let’s build a military that values every form of service—and never leaves the willing behind.
Comments