Built Together: A Father-Daughter Story of Belief, Service, and Impact

When Randy Aires left active duty, he had something many Veterans don’t: a clear path.

“I was fortunate,” he recalls. “I knew I was going to law school. I had a plan, and the confidence to follow it.”

But over the years, as a Navy JAG Corps Reservist and civilian attorney (and, later, a lobbyist), Randy saw just how rare that certainty can be. “Transitioning out of the military isn’t just about employment,” he says. “It’s about finding your footing in a world that doesn’t always make room for your experience.”

That understanding is what drew him to Code Platoon. And today, it’s what keeps him giving.

For Randy, supporting the military-connected community is personal because it’s not just his story anymore. His daughter, Katherine Byrnes, works on Code Platoon’s Career Services team.

“I get to see every day how our students grow – technically, professionally, and personally,” Katherine shares. “They come in looking for direction, and they leave with real skills, real confidence, and real jobs. My dad believes in this mission, and I feel proud to help deliver on it.”

Together, Randy and Katherine represent two sides of the same commitment: building a stronger future for those who served and their families.

“Code Platoon isn’t just teaching people to code,” Randy adds. “They’re helping them build lives. They’re combining tech skills with the professional and personal development employers care about. And now, they’re opening the door even wider by including adult children of Veterans. That’s not just generous. It’s strategic.”

As we celebrate how Code Platoon is “Built Together”—by students, donors, instructors, employers, and families—Randy offers a reminder of why it matters:

“Not everyone knows their next step. But when we invest in someone’s future, we help them build it with clarity, confidence, and purpose.”