ADA vs. DoD: Where the Law Stops and Service Begins
- Kirk Carlson
- 20 minutes ago
- 2 min read
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 own laws, standards, and readiness requirements. The Department of Defense (DoD) uses the Disability Evaluation System (DES) to determine if a service member can perform their duties.
In civilian life, if someone becomes disabled, their employer must make reasonable accommodations whenever possible. In the military, however, readiness and deployability come first. If an injury or condition prevents a service member from performing their assigned duties, the DoD can—and often must—discharge them.
It’s not about punishment. It’s about a system built for combat readiness, not long-term rehabilitation. But that’s where the problem begins.
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🩸 Where Service Ends—and the Struggle Begins
Once discharged, thousands of veterans suddenly fall under the protection of the ADA for the first time. But by then, the damage is done. Careers have ended. Missions have been lost. Identities have been stripped away.
For too many, that transition from soldier to civilian feels like abandonment. A Marine who once led a platoon might be told he’s “unfit for duty.” A sailor who gave her best years to the Navy might be discharged for medical reasons, even though she could still contribute in a non-deployable role.
The ADA doesn’t protect them inside the military—and the DoD rarely offers a bridge between service and civilian life.
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🛡️ Where Covenant of Courage Steps In
At Covenant of Courage, we believe service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off—it evolves.
We show what reasonable accommodation could look like in the military. Through our veteran-led programs—like JLBC Cadet Corps, Warrior Bootcamp, and Dad’s Supporting Dads—we give veterans a second mission: to teach, lead, and empower the next generation.
Instead of discharging those who can’t deploy, imagine reassigning them to roles that leverage their experience:
• Training cadets in leadership and discipline
• Mentoring struggling veterans and youth
• Supporting disaster response and emergency readiness programs
This isn’t fantasy—it’s already happening in our community.
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🌍 The Path Forward
The ADA may not apply to the Department of Defense, but the principles of dignity, inclusion, and respect should. Covenant of Courage is advocating for reforms that would bring the military closer to those standards—through policy change, partnerships, and public awareness.
We’re proving that a veteran’s mission doesn’t end with discharge—it simply changes form.
Service continues. Purpose continues.
And with your help, reform continues.
🖊 Sign the petition: https://chng.it/5yXYvkBtMR
🌐 Learn more: www.covenantofcourage.com
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