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, 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

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

[Chicago, June 26, 2023] – Code Platoon is proud to announce that 8th Light has been selected as its 2023 Partner of the Year for its outstanding support and commitment to furthering the Code Platoon mission.

Each year, Code Platoon recognizes a corporate partner who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the organization’s mission. The Partner of the Year distinction is awarded based on a comprehensive evaluation of total engagement, including financial support, job placements, and volunteer contributions. 8th Light has gone above and beyond in these areas, significantly impacting Code Platoon’s ability to empower and uplift the military community.

“8th Light’s support has allowed Code Platoon to expand its reach and enhance its programming,” said Alicia Boddy, Director of Partnerships for Code Platoon. “They have played a crucial role in delivering high-quality training and resources to our students, equipping them with the skills needed for successful careers in the tech industry.”

8th Light has demonstrated a deep commitment to Code Platoon by actively engaging with the organization. They have placed eight Code Platoon graduates into positions within their company, providing valuable opportunities for these talented individuals to launch their tech careers. Numerous 8th Light employees regularly volunteer to support the Code Platoon program. These volunteers have generously shared their industry knowledge, mentored students, and supported the organization’s various programs, creating a nurturing environment for Code Platoon’s students.

“We are thrilled to honor 8th Light as Code Platoon’s 2023 Partner of the Year,” said Rod Levy, Executive Director of Code Platoon. “Their support, job placements, and volunteer engagement have been invaluable in our mission to empower Veterans and military spouses. 8th Light’s commitment embodies the spirit of partnership, and we are incredibly grateful for their contributions.”

“We’re proud to partner with Code Platoon on our shared mission of building great software by building amazing teams,” said Jenny Farver, CEO of 8th Light. “We’re inspired by Code Platoon’s commitment to continual learning and mentorship, and it’s a natural fit with 8th Light’s own tradition of apprenticeship.”

As the Partner of the Year, 8th Light will be recognized during Code Platoon’s annual Celebrate Code Platoon event on September 21, 2023. For more information about the event or to purchase tickets, please visit https://www.codeplatoon.org/celebrate/.

For more information about Code Platoon and its mission to empower Veterans, active duty Servicemembers, and military spouses, please visit www.codeplatoon.org.

About Code Platoon:

Code Platoon is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Veterans, active duty Servicemembers, and military spouses transition to careers in the tech industry through an immersive coding bootcamp, mentorship, and career placement support. Since its inception, Code Platoon has empowered over 400 individuals with the skills and opportunities to thrive in the ever-evolving technology field.

About 8th Light:

8th Light is a leading software consultancy specializing in software craftsmanship and innovative solutions. With a commitment to creating impactful software and fostering a culture of continuous learning, 8th Light provides expert consulting, custom software development, and training services to a wide range of clients across industries.