Your Story is Powerful: Veterans, Let Us Hear About Your Service

By Kirk Carlson | USMC Veteran | Covenant of Courage Founder

Every uniform tells a story. Behind every salute, every scar, and every discharge paper is a journey of commitment, sacrifice, and often, silent struggle. At Covenant of Courage, we believe those stories matter—not just as moments in history, but as living, breathing reminders of what it means to serve.

We’re calling on veterans from all walks of life—those who served in war and in peace, who deployed overseas or were injured stateside during training. Whether your service ended with a promotion, a medal, or a medical discharge, your voice deserves to be heard.

Why Your Story Matters

Too often, veterans carry their experiences quietly. Many feel that if they didn’t serve in combat, their stories aren’t “heroic” enough. Others were medically discharged and carry shame, regret, or anger for not finishing what they started.

But here’s the truth: your story is enough. It is valuable. It has the power to shift policies, change minds, and heal others going through similar battles.

We’re working to reform outdated military discharge policies through our #ReasonableRanks campaign. We believe that injured service members should be reassigned, not discarded—and your testimony could help us prove why this change is needed.

Who We Want to Hear From

We are collecting testimonies and interviews from:

• Veterans who were medically discharged—especially those injured during training

• Service members who faced discrimination or denial of accommodations

• Families who supported a veteran through their recovery or transition

• Advocates, commanders, and peers who witnessed the impact of broken systems

Whether you want to share a few sentences anonymously or tell your full story in an interview, we welcome all contributions.

How to Share

Submit your story through our website at: www.covenantofcourage.com/stories

Or email us directly at: info@covenantofcourage.com

We’ll use these stories to:

• Advocate for policy reform in Congress and the DoD

• Educate the public about the overlooked cost of injury-related discharges

• Empower fellow veterans to come forward and heal

Stand With Us

By sharing your truth, you join a growing movement of veterans and allies fighting for a military that values every form of service. This is how we restore honor, dignity, and justice—not just to a uniform, but to the people who wore it.

Your story is more than just your past—

It could be the key to someone else’s future.

#ReasonableRanks | #NoOneLeftBehind | #HonorAllService

🔗 Sign the petition

📣 Submit your story