Cecilian Partners Named Code Platoon’s 2025 Partner of the Year

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Chicago, IL, [June 25, 2025] – Code Platoon, a nonprofit coding bootcamp dedicated to helping Veterans, Servicemembers, and military family members transition into tech careers, proudly announces Cecilian Partners as its 2025 Partner of the Year. This recognition honors a corporate partner whose leadership and collaboration have significantly advanced Code Platoon’s mission. 

A leader in PropTech innovation, Cecilian Partners has not only developed cutting-edge digital tools for the real estate sector but has also assembled a multidisciplinary team with backgrounds spanning a broad range of industries and military service. Through its partnership with Code Platoon, Cecilian has hired full-time engineers and apprentices from the military community, creating an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and empowered.

“Our partnership with Cecilian Partners reflects the essence of being ‘Built Together,’” said Rod Levy, Founder and Executive Director of Code Platoon. “They recognize that talent comes from many paths—and they’ve opened their doors, their teams, and their leadership to Code Platoon graduates. Cecilian is a model of what it looks like when a company invests in people, not just roles. We’re proud to build with them.”

Over the past two years, Cecilian Partners has welcomed five Code Platoon alumni into its engineering team. Among them is Navy Veteran James Kelsey, now a celebrated contributor who earned the company’s 2024 MVP Award. Air Force Veteran and military spouse Kana Pankey, another hire, brings leadership and cross-functional thinking to the fast-paced environment. These hires are more than placements—they are examples of a shared belief that great teams are built, not born.

“We owe everything to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces—their service gives us the freedom to build, grow, and live without fear,” said John Cecilian Jr., Co-founder and CEO of Cecilian Partners. “Partnering with Code Platoon isn’t just about talent. It’s about character. These veterans bring discipline, humility, and a team-first mindset into our company. Creating a place where they can thrive in civilian life isn’t just a privilege—it’s our duty.”

Cecilian’s commitment goes beyond hiring. Their team actively supports Code Platoon through mentorship, sponsorship, and advocacy, elevating the mission in boardrooms, development teams, and community spaces alike.

Cecilian Partners will be formally recognized at Celebrate Code Platoon 2025, the organization’s annual benefit event, held on September 25, 2025, at Burning Bush Brewery in Chicago.

About Code Platoon

Code Platoon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that transforms Veterans, active duty Servicemembers, and military spouses into professional software engineers through an immersive, hands-on educational process and paid apprenticeship program. We recognize the unique and diversified skill sets and experience Veterans bring to the tech industry and provide the hard and soft skills for these individuals to transition to careers in tech. 

About Cecilian Partners

Cecilian Partners is transforming the digital future for community developers and homebuilders with its award-winning software suite, the Residential OS®. ResOS includes the industry’s first lot banking platform, interactive 3D maps, patented property development software, digital marketing tools, and an all-in-one app for community management and resident engagement. Headquartered in New Hope, PA, Cecilian Partners serves many of the nation’s leading real estate developers and builders. Learn more at www.cecilianpartners.com.

Contact Information:

Jim Hennessey
(312) 767-7673
jim@codeplatoon.org
codeplatoon.org

Code Platoon Launches New AI Cloud & DevOps Program to Meet Evolving Tech Workforce Demands

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TLDR: Updated curriculum and program name reflect the growing importance of AI and Cloud Engineering in technology roles.

Chicago, IL, [June 18, 2025] – Code Platoon, a nonprofit coding bootcamp for Veterans, active duty Servicemembers, and military families, is proud to announce the launch of its newly revamped AI Cloud and DevOps Engineering program. This update reflects a growing demand in the tech industry for professionals trained at the intersection of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and DevOps engineering.

The first cohort under the new curriculum, AI Cloud and DevOps Delta Platoon, will run from October 13, 2025, to April 25, 2026. Applications are now open through August 17, 2025.

“AI and Cloud are no longer niche—they’re foundational,” said Rodrigo Levy, Executive Director and Founder of Code Platoon. “As employers rapidly adopt cloud-native infrastructure and AI tools, they’re looking for professionals who can build, automate, and scale with those technologies in mind. This updated program equips our students with the exact skills. 

Why AI and Cloud Now?

The tech industry has shifted. According to LinkedIn’s 2025 Emerging Jobs Report, roles in AI and cloud engineering are among the fastest-growing in the U.S., with job listings in machine learning operations (MLOps), cloud automation, and AI deployment up more than 40% year over year. Employers are increasingly integrating AI tools, such as AWS Bedrock and Amazon SageMaker, into their workflows, and they need engineers who can keep pace with these developments.

That’s where Code Platoon’s new program comes in.

A Curriculum Designed for What’s Next

The AI Cloud and DevOps curriculum offers students hands-on experience with today’s most widely used tools:

  • AI tools: Amazon SageMaker, Amazon Bedrock, AWS AI services, Bedrock Agents
  • Cloud & DevOps: Terraform, Ansible, GitHub Actions, Docker
  • Data: SQL/NoSQL databases, full-stack cloud architecture
  • Certifications: AWS AI Practitioner Certification

Graduates will be ready to tackle complex, real-world problems, whether it’s building automated cloud pipelines or deploying AI-powered applications.

Adam Cahan, Program Director at Code Platoon, emphasized the need to stay ahead of industry trends: “We’re not just teaching students how to configure servers—we’re teaching them how to build intelligent, scalable systems. The new curriculum blends DevOps with applied AI so that our grads can go into a team and immediately add value.”

Bridging the Skills Gap for Veterans and Military Families

Code Platoon has long focused on career training that leads directly to employment, with 80% of graduates landing jobs in software development, DevOps, or related roles. This new curriculum deepens that mission by targeting some of the most sought-after skills in tech today.

Whether you’re a tech professional looking to hire versatile engineers or a military Veteran or family member considering a future in cloud or AI, the AI Cloud and DevOps program offers a fast, effective path forward.

Apply Now

Delta Platoon starts October 13, 2025.
Application deadline: August 17, 2025.
Learn more and apply at codeplatoon.org.

About Code Platoon

Code Platoon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that transforms Veterans, active duty Servicemembers, and military families into professional software engineers through an immersive, hands-on educational process and dedicated career services support. We recognize the unique and diverse skill sets and experiences that Veterans and the military community bring to the tech industry and provide the hard and soft skills necessary for these individuals to transition into careers in tech. 

Contact Information:

Jim Hennessey
(312) 767-7673
jim@codeplatoon.org
codeplatoon.org

Code Platoon Programs Approved as Certification Prep Courses

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Students Attending Remotely Can Use GI Bill® for Program Costs.

Chicago, IL – Veterans and military family members ready to transition into tech careers now have more options. Code Platoon’s programs have been approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as Licensing and Certification Preparation Courses, allowing students to use their GI Bill® benefits for reimbursement of program costs.

This approval will benefit students attending Code Platoon remotely, as it makes the GI Bill an option for the first time.

A significant portion of Code Platoon students attend remotely due to the demands of military service, including deployments and relocations. The ability to learn remotely provides essential flexibility for military families, balancing work, school, and family responsibilities.

“For military families, flexibility is often the difference between starting a new career or putting it on hold,” said Rod Levy, Executive Director of Code Platoon. “This approval gives Veterans (and military spouses and military children who have access to GI Bill benefits) access to training for some of the most in-demand tech roles, including software developer, system architect, and cloud engineer, no matter where life takes them.”

Under the Certification Preparation Course designation, the VA will reimburse tuition for preparatory courses as long as the student has remaining entitlement. Students must request reimbursement from the VA.

Edward Donovan, Board President of Code Platoon, added: “Our programs are designed to create pathways into tech careers for Veterans and military family members whether they’re learning to code for the first time or looking to upskill in areas like data analytics or system engineering. The VA approval of our programs as Certification Prep courses helps us extend this opportunity to even more of the military community.”

Code Platoon’s in-person training programs at their Chicago classroom were already eligible for GI Bill® benefits.


Why Code Platoon Stands Out

Code Platoon is a nonprofit coding bootcamp for beginners, offering hands-on training in web development, DevOps, and cloud engineering. With flexible options—including full-time, part-time, in-person, and online bootcamps—the program meets students where they are. Graduates leave with a strong foundation in coding, prepared for roles as full-stack developers, cybersecurity analysts, and more.

Code Platoon also stands out for its career-focused support, including partnerships with leading employers to help students transition into meaningful tech careers.

For more information on using your GI Bill for Code Platoon’s remote programs, visit www.codeplatoon.org.

Contact Information:

Jim Hennessey
(312) 767-7673
jim@codeplatoon.org.
codeplatoon.org

Code Platoon Expands Mission to Serve Adult Children of Veterans and Active Duty Servicemembers

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Chicago, IL – Code Platoon, a leading nonprofit Coding Bootcamp for Veterans and military spouses, is proud to announce the expansion of its mission to include adult children of Veterans and Active Duty Servicemembers. Starting today, adult children of Veterans and Servicemembers can apply to join one of Code Platoon’s training programs.

“Our mission has always been about creating opportunities for the military community to start successful tech careers,” said Rod Levy, Founder and Executive Director, Code Platoon. “By opening our training to the adult children of Veterans and Active Duty Servicemembers, we’re building on that mission, ensuring more of the military community can benefit from our program and become tomorrow’s tech leaders..”

Since 2016, Code Platoon has empowered more than 650 Veterans and military spouses to become professional software engineers. In 2023, we served almost 200 military coding students in our programs. An impressive 70% of these graduates landed tech jobs within six months, with a median starting salary of $85,000.

Who Can Apply:
Adult children of Veterans and Active Duty Servicemembers who possess at least a high school diploma or equivalent can now apply to Code Platoon’s programs. They will have access to job-ready training at little to no cost through the organization’s scholarship programs or by leveraging their parent’s VA education benefits where available.

In 2023, Code Platoon awarded over $1.6 million in scholarships, ensuring that financial burdens were minimized and that most students paid nothing at all.

What’s Available:
Applications are now open for Code Platoon’s upcoming Full-stack Software Engineering and DevOps and Cloud Engineering programs. Applicants can choose from remote or in-person classes and participate full-time or in the Evening & Weekend programs to fit their schedule. 

“Expanding our reach to include adult children of Veterans and Active-Duty Servicemembers is a significant step in fulfilling our mission,” said Edward Donovan, President of the Board of Directors, Code Platoon. “We recognize that the military community possesses unique skills and qualities that make them well-suited for successful tech careers. We’re thrilled to support this broader group as they transform into Tomorrow’s Tech Leaders.

Why Code Platoon?
Code Platoon is consistently recognized as one of the top coding bootcamps in the U.S. by Course Report and SwitchUp. College Consensus ranked Code Platoon as the #1 Best Coding Bootcamp in 2024.

Code Platoon has been named a Military Friendly School by VIQTORY for our commitment to creating opportunities for the military community in their transition to civilian careers and education.

For more information on Code Platoon’s programs and how to apply, visit Code Platoon’s website.

About Code Platoon
Code Platoon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that transforms Veterans, active duty Servicemembers, and military spouses into professional software engineers through an immersive, hands-on educational process and paid apprenticeship program. We recognize the unique and diversified skill sets and experience Veterans bring to the tech industry and provide the hard and soft skills for these individuals to transition to careers in tech. 

Contact Information:

Jim Hennessey
(312) 767-7673
jim@codeplatoon.org.
codeplatoon.org

Code Platoon Honors Greg Tutunjian as 2024 Volunteer of the Year

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Chicago, IL, [August  25, 2024] – Code Platoon, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Veterans and military spouses transition into civilian careers in software engineering, proudly announces Greg Tutunjian as its 2024 Volunteer of the Year. This recognition is awarded to a member of the Code Platoon Volunteer Corps whose dedication and expertise have significantly advanced the organization’s mission.

Greg Tutunjian will be recognized at the annual Celebrate Code Platoon event. This year’s event will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2024, from 6 to 9 p.m. at The River Room at Burning Bush Brewery in Chicago.

“Our Volunteer Corps supports our program in many ways—as mentors, teaching assistants, resume coaches, and guest instructors,” said Rod Levy, Executive Director, Code Platoon. “Greg has been an amazing contributor to our efforts and one of our longest continual volunteers. He has been delivering a 2-day Agile certification workshop for our Immersive program two or three times a year for eight years. I can’t think of a better person to honor with the Volunteer of the Year award.”

Greg Tutunjian brings over 40 years of experience in software engineering, solution development, product development, and service delivery to Code Platoon. His leadership of engineering teams and programs and deep expertise in Agile methodologies have been instrumental in our continued success. Since 2010, Greg has been coaching, training, and mentoring leadership, management, teams, and individual contributors. 

“I had a theory that military members would be ideal candidates for Agile teams because of the transparency, accountability, teamwork, discipline, and commitment required in the service.” Tutunjian shared. “Part of why I volunteered with Code Platoon was selfish. I wanted to work with people possessing the intrinsic motivation to succeed in software engineering. That’s proven to be the case. I learned that military spouses are comparably motivated and experienced and ready for software engineering careers.”

Reflecting on his time with Code Platoon, Tutunjian added, “I hoped that Code Platoon grads would see how military experience and life experience as a military spouse would more than prepare them to be effective on commercial workplace teams. The team projects in the Code Platoon program are a very effective incubator for effectiveness in the software engineering workplace. I’m always stunned to see the decision-making and teamwork methods demonstrated during final project presentations.”

The Code Platoon Volunteer Corps offers an impactful way for professional software engineers and tech professionals to make a difference in the lives of military Veterans and spouses. Volunteers do not need to be Veterans themselves to participate. To learn more and sign up for the Volunteer Corps, visit https://www.codeplatoon.org/volunteer/.

“Celebrate Code Platoon showcases the inspiring success stories of our Veterans and military spouses who have transitioned to new careers in tech, thanks to the support of our volunteers and partners. It’s a celebration of their achievements and a testament to the impact of our mission,” Rod said.

Tickets for Celebrate Code Platoon are $150 each from now through September 11, 2024, and can be purchased online at https://www.codeplatoon.org/celebrate/.

About Code Platoon

Code Platoon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that transforms Veterans, active duty Servicemembers, and military spouses into professional software engineers through an immersive, hands-on educational program. We recognize the unique and diversified skill sets and experience Veterans bring to the tech industry and provide the hard and soft skills for these individuals to transition to careers in tech. Since 2016, we have graduated over 600 students into Software Engineering and DevOps Engineering careers. In the last two years, 215 students have completed our program, with 74% of graduates securing software engineering roles within six months of graduating.  https://www.codeplatoon.org/

Contact Information:

Jim Hennessey

(312) 767-7673

jim@codeplatoon.org.

codeplatoon.org

Celebrate Code Platoon 2024: A Night to Honor, Celebrate, and Inspire

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Chicago, IL, [July 25, 2024] –Code Platoon is thrilled to announce Celebrate Code Platoon 2024, an annual event dedicated to honoring our mission of helping Veterans and military spouses launch careers in software engineering. This celebration also recognizes the supporters and partners whose contributions enable us to provide quality technical training and skills needed for the civilian workforce. 

This year’s event will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2024, from 6 to 9 p.m. at The River Room at Burning Bush Brewery in Chicago.

Honoring Our Partner of the Year

This year, we are proud to recognize Travelers as our 2024 Partner of the Year. Travelers, a leading provider of property casualty insurance, has demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing Code Platoon’s mission. This award celebrates their significant efforts in empowering Veterans and military spouses to transition into civilian careers in software engineering.

Celebrating Our Graduates

The evening will feature inspiring stories from our graduates and alumni, showcasing their impact in the tech industry. These narratives highlight the transformation our students undergo, from military service to thriving software engineering careers.

Announcing Our Volunteer of the Year

We will also announce our Volunteer of the Year, celebrating the dedication and hard work of an individual who has made a substantial impact on our community. Their commitment exemplifies the spirit of service and support that drives Code Platoon.

Join Us

“Celebrate Code Platoon is a way to showcase the incredible success stories of our Veterans and military spouses and their new careers in tech alongside the friends, foundations, and corporate partners that support our mission,” Rod Levy, Founder and Executive Director of Code Platoon.

Tickets for Celebrate Code Platoon are on sale now through September 11, 2024. They are priced at $150 each and can be purchased online at www.codeplatoon.org/celebrate

“We hope to have as many of our supporters and partners join us to celebrate another year of success for our program,” said Edward Donovan, Board President for Code Platoon. “Our graduates are making significant impacts on the tech workforce with the leadership skills they obtained in the military and the job-ready software engineering skills taught at Code Platoon.”

If you can’t join us on September 26, consider making a tax-deductible donation to help Veterans and military spouses make life-changing transitions to careers in tech. These contributions have paved the way for Code Platoon to be named Forbes’ #1 Coding Bootcamp for scholarships.

For more information about Celebrate Code Platoon 2024 and to purchase tickets, please visit www.codeplatoon.org/celebrate.

About Code Platoon

Code Platoon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that transforms Veterans, active duty Servicemembers, and military spouses into professional software engineers through an immersive, hands-on educational process; we recognize the unique and diversified skill sets and experience Veterans bring to the tech industry and provide the hard and soft skills for these individuals to transition to careers in tech. 

Contact Information:

Jim Hennessey
(312) 767-7673
jim@codeplatoon.org
codeplatoon.org

Travelers Named Code Platoon’s 2024 Partner of the Year

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Chicago, IL, [June 25, 2024] – Code Platoon, a nonprofit coding bootcamp exclusively for Veterans and military spouses, has selected Travelers, a leading provider of property casualty insurance, as its 2024 Partner of the Year. This recognition is given to a corporate partner whose leadership significantly advances Code Platoon’s mission of empowering the military community to transition to civilian careers in software engineering.

Over the past year, Travelers has hired several Code Platoon graduates into its Engineering Development Program and provided philanthropic support to Code Platoon’s robust technical education and career placement programs. 

Thida Sam, Director of Development at Code Platoon, praised Travelers, saying, “Travelers has been instrumental in our efforts this year, particularly with their focus on recruiting from nontraditional talent pipelines and their unwavering support for Veteran-focused educational initiatives. This has set a benchmark for corporate partnership.”

“We have a longstanding commitment to supporting the military community, and it is an absolute honor to be recognized by Code Platoon for our efforts,” said Jim McMahon, Director of Talent Acquisition at Travelers. “We pride ourselves on ensuring a welcoming and supportive environment for military families, and part of that includes fostering strong partnerships with organizations such as Code Platoon.”

Travelers supports a number of military-friendly initiatives, including an employee resource group that boasts more than 3,300 members and a recruitment program designed specifically to help military spouses that has resulted in more than 300 hires since 2020. 

The company has also signed the Statement of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve at both state and national levels, and it participates in the Department of Defense Military Spouse Employment Partnership, which connects military spouses with partner employers committed to recruiting and retaining military spouses. In recent years, Travelers has also been named an Employer for Outstanding Support by the U.S. Navy Reserve and a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon company by the Minnesota National Guard.

“We are excited to recognize Travelers as our 2024 Partner of the Year,” said Rod Levy, Executive Director of Code Platoon. “Their commitment to our mission through active support, job placements, and volunteer efforts has been invaluable. They truly embody the spirit of partnership, and we are immensely grateful for their contributions.”

Travelers will be recognized at the annual Celebrate Code Platoon event on September 26, 2024.

About Code Platoon

Code Platoon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that transforms Veterans, active duty Servicemembers, and military spouses into professional software engineers through an immersive, hands-on educational process and paid apprenticeship program. We recognize the unique and diversified skill sets and experience Veterans bring to the tech industry and provide the hard and soft skills for these individuals to transition to careers in tech.

Code Platoon Enhances Veteran and Military Spouse Education with AI Curriculum Integration

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Code Platoon, a pioneering coding bootcamp exclusively for Veterans and military spouses, today announced a significant enhancement to its educational offerings: the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its curriculum. This initiative aligns with Code Platoon’s mission of providing technology education specifically tailored to the unique experiences and capabilities of Veterans and military spouses entering the tech workforce.

AI Integration: A Boost to Veteran and Spouse Skill Sets

Code Platoon believes that AI tools enhance, not replace, the essential skills of software engineers. Training in those essential skills remains the foundation of the Code Platoon program. The integration of AI will add training on prompt engineering and the judicious use of AI tools in a way that balances efficiency with a strong understanding of fundamentals.

Code Platoon’s current Full-stack Software Engineering cohort, Whiskey Platoon, is the first to experience the updated curriculum. Other cohorts and programs will follow, incorporating the AI curriculum at the start of each new cohort throughout 2024.

AI tools will be introduced at key points in the curriculum, with guardrails for novice programmers to prevent over-reliance. Leveraging our culture of rich student feedback, we’ll regularly assess and evolve our AI curriculum, staying aligned with industry changes.

The updated curriculum is designed not only to equip students with cutting-edge tech skills but also to complement and enhance the distinct qualities that Veterans and military spouses bring to the tech industry.

Statements from Leadership

Rod Levy, Executive Director and Founder of Code Platoon, emphasized the program’s unique focus: “We recognize the dynamic and transformative power of AI in the tech world. Integrating AI into our software engineering curriculum is a strategic step to ensure our students are uniquely positioned to meet the demands of the tech industry, leveraging their distinctive backgrounds and the advanced skills they acquire here at Code Platoon.”

Adam Cahan, Program Director at Code Platoon, highlighted the impact: “AI is not just a tool but an important aspect of modern software engineering that our students must master. AI will be woven throughout our curriculum, ensuring every student grasps its importance alongside core software engineering skills. This will enable our graduates to stand out in the tech field.”

Enhancing Our Nonprofit Mission

This AI integration is a significant milestone in Code Platoon’s commitment to:

  • Inclusive Education: Our immersive, hands-on approach is designed for individuals with diverse backgrounds, especially those with no prior tech experience.
  • Financial Accessibility: We continue to break down barriers with scholarships, ensuring our education is accessible to all Veterans and military spouses.
  • Career Support: Strong industry partnerships facilitate paid apprenticeships and job placement, easing the transition into tech careers.

The Bigger Picture: Impact on Veterans and Spouses

With AI becoming increasingly important in the tech industry, Code Platoon’s initiative ensures that Veterans and military spouses are not only well-prepared for tech careers but also equipped to thrive and lead in them. This approach also contributes significantly to diversifying the tech industry, showcasing the immense value and potential of those who have served our nation.

About Code Platoon

Code Platoon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that transforms Veterans, active duty Servicemembers, and military spouses into professional software engineers through an immersive, hands-on educational process and paid apprenticeship program. We recognize the unique and diversified skill sets and experience Veterans bring to the tech industry and provide the hard and soft skills for these individuals to transition to careers in tech. 

Contact Information

Jim Hennessey

(312) 767-7673

jim@codeplatoon.org

codeplatoon.org

Vet_Tec_January_2024

Code Platoon Scholarships Bridge the Gap Left by VET TEC

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With VET TEC funding nearing exhaustion, Code Platoon, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the military to tech transition, is ready to help those impacted through our scholarship program. Scholarships to attend our Full-stack Software Engineering and DevOps and Cloud Engineering programs can bridge the gap left by the exhausted funding of VET TEC.

Established as a five-year test program by the VA, VET TEC successfully equipped over 12,000 Veterans with tech skills highly sought after by employers. However, the program’s remaining funding, initially extended for 2024, is nearing depletion after just 100 days. This will leave many Veterans without the means to access vital tech training.

Code Platoon’s scholarships are funded by the generous support of individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners who share Code Platoon’s mission. These scholarships cover most or all of the cost of the program, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder Veterans and active duty Servicemembers pursuing careers in Full-stack software development and DevOps and cloud engineering.

“The lack of  VET TEC program funding will create a void in the educational pathways available to our Veterans and active duty Servicemembers to pursue careers as software engineers,” said Rod Levy, Founder and Executive Director of Code Platoon. “It’s our mission to help every Veteran with aspirations in tech access quality education and training.” 

Scholarships are a major component of Code Platoon’s mission to make training for tech careers affordable and accessible. In 2023, we awarded more than $1,125,000 in scholarships to students attending our program.

Interested applicants are encouraged to visit Code Platoon’s website for more information on the scholarship programs and application process. Code Platoon’s commitment extends beyond education, as graduates also benefit from a robust network of industry connections and support in transitioning into the tech workforce.

Contact Information:

Jim Hennessey

(312) 767-7673

jim@codeplatoon.org.

codeplatoon.org

Celebrate_CP_Logo_Vertical_Logo_-_Color

Military Coding Bootcamp Supporters Raise $76,295 for Veteran and Military Spouse Scholarship Funds

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Code Platoon celebrated seven years of success helping Veterans launch their tech careers with the Celebrate Code Platoon 2023 fundraising event. One hundred and twenty-five sponsors, supporters, and alums raised $76,295 for military coding scholarships during the celebration at Artifact Events on September 21, 2023.

Dollars raised Rod

The program began with a spotlight on the diversity of skills developed in the military. Code Platoon’s Veteran and Servicemember graduates have served as rescue divers, bridge builders, intelligence analysts, blood lab technicians, linguists, aircraft mechanics, and even musicians. Code Platoon alums not only have their technical knowledge from Coding Bootcamp. They also bring the diversity of their military experience to their future employers.

Caesars

Rodrigo Levy, Code Platoon’s Founder and Executive Director, shared the successes and challenges of 2023. Code Platoon has graduated almost 500 students from our military coding bootcamps in the last seven years. Seventy-four percent of these graduates landed tech jobs within six months, with a median starting salary of $85,000. After two years in tech, our graduates earn a median salary of $115,000.

But 2023 was also challenging. The VA’s VET TEC program funds were depleted in April, leaving many Veterans unable to pay for their needed training.

Code Platoon met this challenge thanks to the support of the corporate partners and donors who contributed to our Veteran scholarship funds. Code Platoon has awarded 1.3 million dollars in scholarships in the last two years. The average awarded scholarship was $16,500, covering 92% of a Veteran’s tuition. 

Uniform_Alumni

Code Platoon recognized our 2023 Partner of the Year: 8th Light. 8th Light has demonstrated exceptional dedication to our mission through financial support, job placements, and volunteer contributions. Learn more about 8th Light’s partnership with Code Platoon in the Partner of the Year video.

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8th_Light

Celebrate Code Platoon 2023 was made possible by our event sponsors: Enova, Chicago Trading Company, DRW, Caesars Entertainment, JPMorgan Chase, Hyde Park Venture Partners, Raise, and 8th Light. These sponsors, our guests, and an anonymous donor who matched the evening’s donations raised over $76,295 to help more Veterans and military spouses start new tech careers.

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Two Veterans who launched software engineering careers with Code Platoon also spoke as part of the Celebrate program. 

Joshua moved from the Philippines to the United States when he was nine. He couldn’t afford to pursue a college degree; so he enlisted in the Army for more opportunities. Joshua was accepted to Code Platoon’s Tango cohort via the DoD SkillBridge program. He earned a spot in Accenture’s software engineering apprenticeship program after graduation.

Megan hoped to work in IT when she enlisted in the Navy, but she was assigned an electronics technician role instead. Megan joined Code Platoon’s Quebec cohort six years later to pursue her software development dreams. She graduated with a software engineering apprenticeship at DRW, where she is now a full-time software developer.

Joshua_Parina
Megan Ganualdi

Celebrate Code Platoon was a success, but we still need your help to train 500 more Veterans, Servicemembers, and military spouses in the next three years. You can make a tax-deductible contribution to the Celebrate Code Platoon scholarship fund by visiting our event donation page.

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