Why Injured Veterans Deserve a Second Chance to Serve
- Kirk Carlson
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Why Injured Veterans Deserve a Second Chance to Serve
By Kirk Carlson, USMC Veteran | Founder, Covenant of Courage
When a service member raises their right hand and swears to defend their country, they understand the risks. Injuries—both visible and invisible—are part of the sacrifice. But what many don’t expect is what happens after the injury: to be discharged, dismissed, and denied the chance to continue serving—even when they’re still fully capable of contributing in a meaningful way.
It’s time we talk about why injured veterans deserve a second chance to serve.
Not Every Role Is on the Front Line
The military is a massive system. For every combat role, there are dozens of essential support positions: logistics, intelligence, administration, training, cybersecurity, counseling, medical techs, and more.
Many injured veterans are still highly capable of performing these duties. They have the experience, discipline, and motivation—but no policy exists to guide their reassignment.
Instead, these service members are medically separated and sent home. The result?
A lost career
No retirement eligibility
A devastating loss of identity and purpose
And the military loses someone who still had more to give.
Injury Shouldn’t Equal Erasure
We would never discharge a teacher for breaking a leg. We wouldn’t fire a firefighter with a hearing aid who now trains recruits. But in the military, even a mild or manageable injury can end a career overnight.
That’s not just unfair—it’s a failure to see veterans as whole people.
Injured veterans deserve the dignity of continued service. Not as a handout, but as recognition of their ongoing capability.
The #ReasonableRanks Campaign
This is the mission behind the #ReasonableRanks campaign. We are calling on the Department of Defense and Congress to:
Create reassignment pathways for veterans injured in service
Protect retirement and healthcare benefits for those separated due to injury
End systemic discharge policies that ignore a veteran’s potential in support roles
Because service doesn’t end with injury. And sacrifice shouldn’t result in silence.
What’s at Stake
Behind every discharge statistic is a human story—a Marine who loved leading troops, an Airman who thrived managing logistics, a Sailor who found meaning in mentoring junior recruits.
These are veterans who still want to serve. What they need is a policy that lets them.
Take Action
Sign the petition: https://chng.it/5yXYvkBtMR
Share this article with your community
Tell Congress: Our injured veterans deserve better
Every name, every voice, every story adds to the momentum. Let’s fight for a system that values continued service, not just perfect health.
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