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Start Leading with Purpose
At The Covenant of Courage , our mission is simple but powerful: to build a community where men ignite their potential through authentic connection, meaningful conversations, and shared experiences. Our vision is a world where no man walks alone —where every man searching for friendship finds a deep, unshakable brotherhood rooted in leadership, truth, and transformation . Why Small Group Leaders Matter Small group leaders are at the heart of this mission. By opening a space f
Kirk Carlson
Oct 191 min read


Comfort Is the Enemy of Growth. Get Uncomfortable.
There’s a reason growth doesn’t feel good. Because it’s not supposed to . Growth demands stretching, adjusting, letting go, and stepping into the unknown. And if you’re always chasing comfort—if you’re always waiting until it “feels right”—you’ll stay stuck exactly where you are. Comfort zones don’t build warriors. They build walls. ⸻ 💥 Growth Requires Discomfort You can’t get stronger without resistance. You can’t become wiser without challenge. You can’t lead if you’re af
Kirk Carlson
Oct 192 min read


Expanding Reasonable Ranks Across the Nation
By Covenant of Courage ⸻ ⚖️ A Movement for Fairness and Reform The #ReasonableRanks Campaign began as a small but determined effort to confront one of the most overlooked injustices in military policy — the lack of reasonable accommodations for injured and disabled service members. What started as a single petition has now grown into a national movement calling for systemic reform in how the U.S. military handles medical discharges . With more than 600 signatures and counti
Kirk Carlson
Oct 192 min read


The Goal Is to Get Finer, Happier, Wealthier, and Healthier
And You Deserve All Four. Let’s make something clear: Wanting more out of life isn’t selfish—it’s strategic . We live in a world that tells us to “be grateful and sit down,” but real growth happens when you say: “I can be grateful AND still want to elevate every area of my life.” So here’s the new standard: Finer. Happier. Wealthier. Healthier. Not for show. Not for clout. But for you , your future, and the people you’re called to impact. ⸻ 🔥 Finer – Level Up Your Presence
Kirk Carlson
Oct 192 min read


LOOKING FOR VETERANS READY TO BREAK INTO IT
By Covenant of Courage ⸻ 💻 The Fight for a Second Mission Are you a veteran or service member who was told that because of your medical discharge , you’re unqualified to do what you did in the military? You’re not alone — and you’re not unqualified. Every year, thousands of skilled men and women leave the military not because they can’t serve, but because the system doesn’t know what to do with them once they get injured. The phrase “Leave no man behind” seems to vanish whe
Kirk Carlson
Oct 192 min read


The Cost of Leadership: Why True Leaders Must Be Willing to Be Misunderstood
“If you accept the call to leadership, you must be willing to be misunderstood, criticized, opposed, accused—even rejected.” Leadership isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s not a title. It’s not popularity. It’s a calling that demands courage , clarity , and conviction —even when it costs you comfort, approval, or peace. Too many want the influence of leadership without the isolation it sometimes brings. But the truth is this: To lead is to be willing to walk alone… and still k
Kirk Carlson
Oct 182 min read


What “Reasonable Accommodation” Should Mean for the U.S. Military
Redefining How America Treats Its Injured and Disabled Service Members For decades, the phrase “reasonable accommodation” has stood as a pillar of civil rights law. It represents fairness, inclusion, and the idea that a person’s worth is not defined by their limitations but by their willingness to serve and contribute. In every workplace across the United States — from the White House to the post office — the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures that employees with
Kirk Carlson
Oct 183 min read


Reasonable Ranks Campaign Progress Report — October 2025
🛡️ Building Momentum for Military Discharge Reform The Reasonable Ranks Campaign , led by Kirk Carlson and Covenant of Courage , continues to gain national traction as it fights to close one of the most overlooked civil rights gaps in military law: the lack of reasonable accommodation for injured service members. As of today, the campaign has reached 627 petition signatures , reflecting growing public support for military discharge reform and fair reassignment pathways for
Kirk Carlson
Oct 173 min read


Veterans Leading the Next Generation of Change
Across America, a new kind of leadership is emerging—one forged in service, refined through sacrifice, and now directed toward building stronger communities. Veterans are stepping into roles as mentors, educators, entrepreneurs, and advocates, using their experience and resilience to lead the next generation of change. ⸻ From the Battlefield to the Classroom For many veterans, service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off—it transforms. The leadership, teamwork, and adaptabi
Kirk Carlson
Oct 172 min read


Working with Smart People Is Great
Working with Kind and Humble People Is Next-Level Amazing In a world where intelligence is often prized above all else, there’s something that stands out even more than raw brilliance: 👉 Character. Yes—working with smart people is great. They solve problems. They innovate. They bring big ideas to the table. But when you combine intelligence with kindness and humility — that’s when the real magic happens. Smart Gets Things Done. Humble Gets Things Built. Smart people know wh
Kirk Carlson
Oct 172 min read


Choose Your Circle: Build a Tribe That Elevates You
We’ve all heard it before: “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” But let’s take that further. You are the energy you allow into your space. You are the standard your circle sets for itself. You are the vision that your people either push you toward—or pull you away from. The Power of the Right Circle The people around you are either: • Fueling your growth , or • Feeding your fears . When you’re around people who are driven, disciplined,
Kirk Carlson
Oct 162 min read


How Law Students Can Earn Credit Through Public Service
By Covenant of Courage | In Partnership with JLBC Cadet Corps and the #ReasonableRanks Campaign ⸻ ⚖️ Bridging Education and Impact Every law student enters the field with a dream of justice — to use their education not just for a paycheck, but for purpose. Yet many don’t realize that their journey toward becoming an attorney can start right now through public service credit programs that count toward graduation. At Covenant of Courage and the JLBC Cadet Corps , law student
Kirk Carlson
Oct 163 min read


Stop Being Afraid of What Could Go Wrong—and Start Being Excited About What Could Go Right
Every day, we are given a choice: focus on the fears that hold us back, or the possibilities that pull us forward. Too many of us are paralyzed by the question: “But what if it doesn’t work out?” We obsess over what might go wrong. What if I fail? What if they laugh at me? What if I lose everything? But here’s a truth most people never realize: Fear doesn’t prevent disaster. It prevents growth . The Real Risk: Doing Nothing Staying where you are might feel safe—but it’s not.
Kirk Carlson
Oct 162 min read


ADA vs. DoD: Where the Law Stops and Service Begins
When it comes to protecting people with disabilities, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is one of the most powerful civil rights laws in U.S. history. It ensures fair treatment, reasonable accommodation, and access across workplaces, schools, and public spaces. But there’s one place the ADA doesn’t reach—the U.S. military. ⚖️ Why the ADA Stops at the Barracks Door The ADA does not apply to active-duty service members . That’s because the military operates under its
Kirk Carlson
Oct 152 min read


Why Every Man Needs a Tribe
Every man fights battles no one sees. Battles with pressure, doubt, exhaustion, and expectation. Battles to provide, to lead, to stay...
Kirk Carlson
Oct 103 min read


Every Man Has Three Families: Why Brotherhood Matters More Than Ever
Every man has three families. The one he’s born into, the one he builds with his woman, and the one he chooses — the brothers who walk...
Kirk Carlson
Oct 93 min read


Building the SECTIN Framework: Special Emergency Command Training & Intelligence Network
In times of crisis, clarity and coordination save lives. That’s why Covenant of Courage is developing SECTIN — the Special Emergency...
Kirk Carlson
Oct 93 min read


Why Chain of Command Creates Efficiency in Civilian Programs
In the civilian world, “chain of command” can sound strict or outdated — something that belongs on a military base, not in a community...
Kirk Carlson
Oct 93 min read


Designing a Command Structure for a Veteran-Led Nonprofit
In the military, structure isn’t just about authority — it’s about clarity, unity, and mission focus. When veterans return to civilian...
Kirk Carlson
Oct 83 min read


How to Walk Forward with Boldness
🦅 There comes a point in every journey where hesitation must give way to courage. Walking forward with boldness isn’t about ignoring...
Kirk Carlson
Oct 52 min read
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