top of page

Search


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


Victory Village: Habitat Riverside’s Veterans Housing Project Finally Comes to Life
After years of planning, Habitat for Humanity Riverside is launching a long-anticipated housing community for veterans and their families. The project, known as Victory Village , is accepting pre-qualification applications for new, energy-efficient, single-family homes in Jurupa Valley . Building Homes, Honoring Service In partnership with the California Department of Veteran Affairs (CalVet) , Habitat Riverside plans to build 26 homes exclusively for veterans, surviving sp
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


The Hidden Civil Rights Gap in Military Discharge Law
⚖️ Why Injured and Disabled Service Members Are Being Left Behind — and How We Can Fix It When Americans think of civil rights, we picture marches, courtrooms, and landmark rulings. We rarely imagine the quiet heartbreak that happens inside a military base, when a service member who’s been injured, disabled, or medically limited is told: “You’re no longer fit for duty — you’re being discharged.” Behind that single sentence lies a hidden civil rights gap that leaves thousand
Kirk Carlson
Oct 163 min read


The Power of One Conversation: How Veterans Can Change Military Policy
🇺🇸 Every major movement in history started the same way — with a conversation. One person sharing an experience that makes another stop, listen, and care. For veterans, that power is multiplied by service, sacrifice, and the moral authority that comes from living the very policies they seek to change. In the campaign for #ReasonableRanks , that truth sits at the heart of everything we do: one veteran’s story can move mountains — but only if it’s told, shared, and heard. ⸻ �
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


Building Courage Through Technology: How Covenant of Courage and JLBC Cadet Corps Are Advancing Technological Literacy for All
In a world defined by rapid technological change, the ability to understand, apply, and ethically use technology is no longer optional — it’s essential. Recognizing this, Covenant of Courage and the JLBC Cadet Corps have united their missions under a shared vision inspired by the International Technology Education Association’s (ITEA) landmark framework, Technological Literacy for All (2006). This national standard, published by the ITEA, defines technological literacy as
Kirk Carlson
Oct 143 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


Covenant of Courage: Mirroring the Military to Empower Disabled Veterans
In a world where many veterans struggle to find purpose after service, Covenant of Courage stands as a mission-driven force of renewal....
Kirk Carlson
Oct 82 min read


Reassignment vs. Discharge — Building a Smarter Military System
Every year, thousands of service members are medically discharged from the United States Armed Forces. Many of them don’t want to leave....
Kirk Carlson
Oct 82 min read


Reasonable Accommodation for Service Members: The Legal Gap No One Is Talking About
By Covenant of Courage Legal Team – Veterans’ Rights Advocacy Division ⸻ The Legal Concept: What “Reasonable Accommodation” Means Under...
Kirk Carlson
Oct 73 min read


Update: FEMA Website Down During Government Shutdown — What It Means for Our Programs
⚠️ To the Covenant of Courage family (including students, cadets, and families of JLBC Cadet Corps), We want to update you about an...
Kirk Carlson
Oct 52 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
bottom of page


