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Uniting Veterans, Cadets, and Communities for a New Era of Command and Readiness
By Covenant of Courage & JLBC Cadet Corps — SECTIN Command Network In a time when communities face unprecedented challenges—from natural disasters to public health crises—our nation’s greatest untapped resource is unity itself. The Special Emergency Command Training & Intelligence Network (SECTIN) was founded to do exactly that: to unify veterans, cadets, and community partners into an integrated command network for emergency readiness, leadership development, and intelligen
Kirk Carlson
Oct 182 min read


Reimagining Military Service for the Modern Era
🇺🇸 By Covenant of Courage & JLBC Cadet Corps ⸻ A New Definition of Service For generations, the word service has been synonymous with sacrifice — men and women in uniform risking their lives to defend the freedoms we hold dear. But in the 21st century, the meaning of service is expanding. It’s no longer limited to combat roles or deployment; it now includes the courage to innovate, mentor, lead, and heal. Reimagining military service means recognizing that the mission doe
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
Kirk Carlson
Oct 183 min read


Your Real Competition Isn’t Other People—It’s You
In a world that constantly compares, ranks, and measures success by how we stack up against others, it’s easy to believe that life is a race and everyone else is your rival. But here’s the truth: Your competition isn’t other people. It’s not your co-worker. It’s not your neighbor. It’s not that influencer on Instagram or the entrepreneur on YouTube. Your competition is internal. It’s the sum of your habits, your fears, your mindset. Until you confront those, you’ll always be
Kirk Carlson
Oct 182 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


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
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
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