How Covenant of Courage Shows What Accommodation Could Look Like

When it comes to disability and injury, civilian workplaces have long recognized the importance of reasonable accommodation. Whether through reassignment, modified duties, or supportive policies, the goal is simple: ensure people can continue to contribute meaningfully, even if their physical or mental health has changed.

The U.S. military, however, has not caught up. Too often, injured or non-deployable service members are discharged, losing their sense of mission, community, and purpose. This not only hurts the veteran but weakens the very institution that invested in them.

Covenant of Courage demonstrates a different path—one that shows what accommodation in the military could look like if we dared to rethink the system.

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A Civilian Model Applied to Military Life

In the civilian world, a worker who loses mobility might be transferred to a desk job, or an employee with hearing loss might use specialized equipment. The principle is about retaining talent.

Covenant of Courage applies that same principle to veterans. Instead of saying, “You can’t serve anymore,” the organization says, “Your service continues—just in a different way.” Veterans who can no longer deploy are reassigned roles that maximize their strengths and lived experiences.

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How Accommodation Works at Covenant of Courage

Through its programs, Covenant of Courage demonstrates accommodation in action:

• Mentorship: Veterans guide cadets in the JLBC Cadet Corps, turning years of discipline and leadership into lessons for the next generation.

• Instruction: Injured veterans who may not be able to endure field drills still teach leadership, strategy, and tactical thinking.

• Community Leadership: Veterans lead workshops on mental health, resilience, and purpose, offering critical peer-to-peer support.

• Advocacy: Veterans use their voices to push for reforms like #ReasonableRanks, proving their stories are powerful tools for change.

These roles honor both the veteran’s service and their future contributions.

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Why This Matters

This model proves that accommodation isn’t about lowering standards—it’s about redefining service. A veteran who cannot deploy to combat may still be invaluable as a trainer, mentor, or strategist. The nation gains by keeping their knowledge in circulation rather than casting them aside.

Covenant of Courage’s approach restores dignity, prevents isolation, and reduces the risk of depression or suicide among injured service members. It also saves taxpayer dollars by preventing premature discharges that lead to costly downstream care.

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The Bigger Picture

By showing what’s possible in civilian programs, Covenant of Courage offers a blueprint for military reform. If Congress adopted similar policies, we could ensure that no service member loses their sense of mission simply because of injury. Instead, they could be reassigned, retrained, and retained—strengthening both the military and society.

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Call to Action

The #ReasonableRanks campaign calls on leaders to recognize what Covenant of Courage has already proven: accommodation works. It honors service, preserves dignity, and strengthens the nation.

📬 support@reasonableranks.org

🖊 Sign the petition: https://chng.it/5yXYvkBtMR

🌐 Learn more: www.covenantofcourage.com

Because service doesn’t end with discharge—it evolves.