Transforming Military Spouses into Tech Professionals

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Military spouses face a unique set of challenges when it comes to sustaining a career. The transient nature of military life, with frequent relocations and the uncertainty of deployment schedules, can make traditional 9-to-5 jobs impractical. Additionally, the fear among employers that military spouses may not stay long-term often leads to higher unemployment rates for this group compared to their civilian counterparts.

Recognizing the challenges that military spouses face and the opportunities tech careers provide for flexibility and remote work, Code Platoon opened its program to military spouses in 2019. 

Since then, Code Platoon has graduated 49 military spouses, with a significant majority attending remotely—88% to be precise. These graduates include 39 women, eight men, and one non-binary individual, reflecting the diversity and inclusivity of the program. 

One of the major draws for military spouses is the financial support offered by Code Platoon. Unlike other educational opportunities, which might be inaccessible due to financial constraints, Code Platoon provides a variety of scholarships for military spouses specifically. Last year, more than 90% of military spouses at Code Platoon received a scholarship. 

“A major benefit of attending Code Platoon was the financial assistance. As a spouse, I wasn’t eligible for the GI Bill or VET TEC. Still, I received a full military spouse scholarship, making it possible for me to pursue a career in software engineering without worrying about the financial burden,” shared Lily Yang, an Army spouse and graduate of the Sierra Platoon.

The program’s flexibility also stands out, with remote learning options that accommodate the unpredictable schedule of military families. This accessibility allows spouses to learn from anywhere, turning what could be a barrier into an opportunity for development and growth. Spouses have participated in the Code Platoon program from across the United States and from bases in Germany, South Korea, and Japan.

Hui Zhao, a graduate of the Evening & Weekend program, noted, “Being a military spouse has shaped me with adaptability and resilience. As a spouse, I had five jobs in five different industries. I think spouses excel at project management and quick turnarounds. We’re flexible and resilient.”

Code Platoon not only recognizes the unique skills and resilience that military spouses bring to the table but also actively works to harness these qualities by providing a supportive and practical route to a new career. The training at Code Platoon goes beyond technical skills; it fosters a sense of community and support, crucial for military spouses who often navigate the challenges of career building alone.

“I was nervous at first about pursuing software engineering and attending Code Platoon,” said Kat Wegrzynowicz, a military spouse and former special education instructor who graduated from Quebec Platoon.  “Being in education, I was used to working with mostly women. I’d also heard that other bootcamps are very competitive, with students that feel threatened by each other’s success. But at Code Platoon, the staff, instructors, and students have all been supportive and inclusive.”

For military spouses seeking not just education but a transformative journey into tech, Code Platoon offers a compelling option. It’s more than just learning to code—it’s about building a stable, fulfilling career that moves with their military lifestyle.

From Raising Kids to Writing Code: A Veteran’s Tech Transition

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After six years in the Air Force and eight years raising her children across the United States, South Korea, and Norway with her active duty husband, Kana Pankey reentered the workforce. Her success in the tech industry resulted from hard work, a learning mindset honed through her diverse experiences in military service and full-time parenting, and support from the immersive training she received at Code Platoon.

“While I was a full-time parent, I considered many career paths for my return to work. I contemplated being a genetic counselor, audiobook narrator, photographer, and data scientist. But as a military spouse following my husband to Norway, I wasn’t in the right location to pursue these interests,” says Kana.

“In the end, software engineering fell at the intersection of my passions, abilities, and family situation. I’ve always enjoyed solving puzzles, have an engineering mindset (bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering), and could attend Code Platoon remotely—even from Norway!”

Code Platoon played a crucial role in Kana’s transition, offering a structured and intensive learning environment exclusively for Veterans and military spouses like her. The program helped Kana build the necessary skills and confidence to embark on her new career. 

“Having to learn so much so quickly helped me build confidence in my ability to be a software engineer,” she says. “My career has been an extension of Code Platoon, learning new skills one step at a time.”

After graduating from Code Platoon, Kana joined tech startup Bobsled as a junior software engineer and information security manager. Thanks to her military experience, she easily adapted to the fast-paced environment of a tech startup.

“The military believes that people rise to their level of responsibility. While in the Air Force, I was given projects without direction or much basic knowledge,” she says. “There are so many unknowns to figure out while creating software. So taking ownership of my responsibilities, figuring out how to get things done, and knowing when to ask for help have been essential skills for my software engineering career developed during my time in the military.”

A big difference between working in tech and the military is how much titles differ across companies. Unlike the military, where roles are usually defined with consistent requirements, tech jobs with the same title can vary widely in their requirements and expectations.

“I was surprised by how unstructured tech can be,” she says. “The nature of tech teams was also unexpected. When I first started, I thought software engineering would be more individual—like swimming, for example. Instead, it’s more like a team sport. Coordination and planning are crucial to ensure everyone’s work fits together—like how soccer players work together to score a goal.”

This analogy also applies to the transition Kana’s family underwent when she returned to work: “I had to change my approach from putting my needs after everyone else in the family to asking for help with family contributions.”

Today, Kana is a Hiring Our Heroes Fellow at Booz Allen Hamilton, one of Code Platoon’s corporate partners. She continues to learn and grow through on-the-job learning, conferences, joining tech organizations, and project work. Her current learning focus revolves around software engineering, cloud technologies, and AI. She’s also interested in diving into organizational behavior and leadership development.

“I enjoy learning more about what makes tech teams effective and how to create those teams. The military’s focus on leadership and team building is useful in all aspects of life, including software engineering. Eventually, I want to move into engineering leadership as a tech lead,” Kana says. 

“Beyond that, I’d like to get more involved in women and Veteran tech groups. I’ve always thought I could ‘do it alone.’ But last year, I attended a ‘Women of the Cloud’ event. During the panels, I realized how important it is to see women ahead of me on my chosen path. I plan to start volunteering with a local Women in Tech group and see where things go.”

Empowering Women in the Transition to Tech Careers

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In the rapidly evolving tech landscape, women are increasingly making their marks, challenging stereotypes, and breaking barriers to the industry. Despite their notable contributions and achievements, women in software engineering still encounter unique hurdles on their journeys toward establishing successful careers. In Code Platoon’s Tech Transitions vodcast series, three experts shed light on the transition to tech for women, sharing their insights and advice as women in tech.

“I’m a Marine Corps Veteran who went through a coding bootcamp. I advanced my career from there over the last eight years,” Nicole Carpenter, Principle Software Developer at 8th Light, says.

“I have a degree in computer science, but I started doing standard business consulting. I went back to technology because I love helping engineers advance their careers and building great products along the way,” Jordi Buller, a Fractional CTO and freelance advisor for tech companies, says.

“I was a high school English teacher before I transitioned to recruiting for tech professionals,” Bailey Budka, a Branch Director of Recruiting at Robert Half, says.

An essential skill for women transitioning to tech is self-advocacy. Although advocating for one’s needs can be difficult, asserting one’s worth and communicating one’s value are paramount skills for women in the tech workforce.

“I would rather be called aggressive than be walked over,” Nicole says. “I benefited from getting hired by a company with mentorship programs, but not everyone will have that opportunity. My advice for women in tech is to find a mentor at their company or by going to local tech events.”

“It’s important to find allies,” Jordi says. “A reality of being a woman in tech is sometimes we need men or people who are more senior than us to be our allies in this space.”

The interviewing process is another area where greater self-advocacy benefits women in tech. Bailey has fourteen years of experience helping women and career transitioners prepare to negotiate salary and benefits in their job interviews:

“If an employer asks for a salary range, I always suggest giving the high end of what the interviewee thinks they might get,” she says. “I also tell transitioning tech employees to consider requesting a sign-on bonus. Sometimes hiring managers may be able to adjust other benefits if they can’t raise the salary.”

Navigating workplace dynamics as a woman in tech may require a keen eye for discerning supportive cultures and potential red flags. Women can better navigate their tech career paths with clarity and confidence by identifying supportive workplace cultures and weighing any “red flags” against the “green” ones.

“Company values can be important to consider when joining a new company, but it can be hard to tell if a company lives by its values,” Jordi says. “If they’re not acted on, company values are just buzzwords.”

In the fast-paced tech industry, continuous learning is a cornerstone for success. By cultivating opportunities to develop new skills on-the-job, women can stay ahead of the curve in their tech careers.

“Transitioning software engineers should ask their future employers how much the company is investing back into its employees,” Nicole says. “Does the company encourage mentorship or have a plan for supporting early-career developers? Is it giving employees time to focus on developing and learning new skills? A workplace that wants its employees to grow their skills and invest in themselves is a huge green flag.” 

“I love being a woman in tech. There are days where it’s hard, but tech is an industry where I have an impact, whether it’s the products I’m building or the teams I’m growing,” Jordi says. “Sometimes women in tech have to be loud. Sometimes, we need to search for opportunities, but the opportunities are there. As we move through our careers, the chances for more women in tech to have these opportunities will continue to get better and better.”

Building Foundations: Inside Code Platoon’s Programming Prep Course

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Transitioning from military life to a full-time coding bootcamp is daunting for Code Platoon students. Recognizing the unique challenges its incoming Veteran and military spouse students face, the organization developed Foundations of Programming (FOP), a four-week optional course offered before every Full-stack Software Engineering: Immersive cohort. 

Foundations of Programming is not just a preparatory step—it’s a launchpad for aspiring military to software engineering students, establishing solid baseline knowledge and hands-on practice coding before the program. 

“We make it our mission to ensure students have the best chance to transition into the workforce upon graduation. To better prepare incoming students for our intense curriculum, Code Platoon assigns self-paced pre-work,” says Rogelio de la Garza, Code Platoon’s Foundations of Programming Instructor and a graduate of the immersive coding bootcamp. “Unfortunately, depending on some of our students’ responsibilities, it can be difficult for them to manage the Pre-work alone. Foundations of Programming emerged to help bridge the gap.”

FOP equips accepted students with the skills they need to hit the ground running. The course covers introductory materials and previews more advanced concepts students will learn during bootcamp. 

“We double down on subjects that tend to give our students a hard time during their programs to improve success rates,” says Rogelio. “For example, introducing Data Structures and Algorithms helps them start recognizing patterns and thinking critically while writing code. This results in cleaner code and pays dividends in their future job search.”

Students also gain hands-on practice with troubleshooting their code, invaluable experience that helps counter one of their biggest initial challenges: their pride. 

“When starting, students tend to be timid about asking questions or getting help. They’re afraid of looking like they’re not up to speed,” says Rogelio. “Foundations of Programming helps them overcome this obstacle in a supportive learning environment. They learn that making mistakes is part of the process.”

Another benefit of the course is learning how to work as part of a team of developers—a crucial skill for software engineering students. In FOP, they practice working together and are encouraged to show their work, discuss their code, and provide each other with constructive criticism. This hands-on practice helps students who take part form a stronger group identity and better prevent burnout during their 15-week program.

“The only way to get better at coding is by coding. Incoming students can watch all our videos or read as many books as they want. But at this stage, unless they’re writing code, making mistakes, and learning from them, they won’t become better software engineers,” says Rogelio. 

“We’ve found since launching Foundations of Programming that students who take the course gain a better understanding of the more complicated topics in the program curriculum. Those who take FOP retain skills from the Pre-work and understand new ones during the program better than those who don’t.”

8 Years of Transforming Veterans into Software Engineers

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On February 1, 2024, Code Platoon celebrated its eighth anniversary, marking a milestone in its journey of empowering Veterans, military spouses, and active duty Servicemembers with the skills for successful careers in technology. The organization has made remarkable strides, graduating over 600 individuals who have seamlessly transitioned into roles such as software and DevOps engineering across more than 25 states and the District of Columbia.

Founded by Rod Levy, Code Platoon was established to address the tech industry’s acute need for skilled developers and facilitate Veterans’ entry into this dynamic field. The organization’s unique approach goes beyond imparting technical knowledge; it focuses on holistic development, ensuring that graduates are not just proficient in coding but are also equipped with the soft skills and professional acumen needed to thrive in the tech ecosystem.

Code Platoon’s curriculum is meticulously designed to cover both technical skills and professional development. This comprehensive approach ensures that graduates are not only tech-savvy but also possess the networking and professional skills necessary to navigate the tech industry successfully. As part of the eighth anniversary, Code Platoon announced the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its curriculum to complement the foundational software engineering skills taught.

The impact of Code Platoon extends far beyond individual success stories. By equipping Veterans and military spouses with the tools for tech careers, the organization is not only filling the skills gap in the industry but also fostering a more diverse and inclusive workforce. This diversity enriches the tech landscape with a variety of perspectives and innovative solutions, making Code Platoon’s mission critical not just for its direct beneficiaries but for the industry at large.

As Code Platoon celebrates eight years of work, the organization’s mission is more relevant than ever. In a world where tech drives progress, Code Platoon ensures that those who’ve served their country have a stake in shaping its future. The continued success of its graduates is not just a testament to the program’s effectiveness but also a call to action for the tech industry to invest in the untapped potential of Veterans and military spouses.

Helping Veterans Transition to New Careers

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In the vast expanse of the civilian tech workforce, Veterans stand at a unique crossroads. Each year, around 250,000 Servicemembers hang up their uniforms, stepping into a world vastly different from the one they’ve known. These individuals aren’t just looking for jobs; they’re taking the first step into new careers and trying to define the value their military service brings to their new employers.

The transition from military to civilian workplace is more than just a career change. It’s a shift, a rebranding, and a challenge of translation. Veterans, equipped with world-class training and a team-oriented mindset, face the challenge of making their skills intelligible and relevant in the private sector. This translation of military skills to civilian terms is a nuanced art. The language of the military, rich with acronyms and specific jargon, doesn’t always find an easy counterpart in corporate speak.

Rich Luby and Katherine Byrnes of Code Platoon understand this challenge all too well. They’ve seen how Veterans, despite their extensive capabilities, sometimes struggle to articulate their experiences in a way that resonates with civilian employers. “Our students initially tend to underplay their transferable skills,” Rich shares. “This underestimation is not just a hurdle in communication but in recognizing their value in a new career.”

Code Platoon’s approach to this challenge is both meticulous and empathetic. Rich and Katherine guide Veterans through rewriting their military roles into civilian-friendly narratives. They encourage Veterans to break down their experiences into fundamental elements, almost as if explaining them to a child, and then reconstructing them using the XYZ format – a method where X stands for the achievement, Y quantifies it, and Z explains the outcome.

But it’s not just about translating experiences onto paper. The cultural shift from a highly structured military environment to a more fluid civilian workplace is profound. Veterans are used to a world where hierarchy and order are paramount, and stepping into a less regimented space can be disorienting. This is where Code Platoon’s personalized mentorship becomes invaluable, helping Veterans understand and adapt to these new cultural norms.

Moreover, Rich and Katherine emphasize the importance of networking in the civilian job search. They encourage Veterans to leverage their shared military background to forge connections in the civilian world, particularly in the tech industry, where Code Platoon focuses its efforts. This networking extends beyond traditional methods; it’s about building a community that understands and appreciates the depth of military experience.

The duo also addresses the unique challenges faced by military spouses, whose career paths often bear the brunt of frequent relocations and varied job histories. Code Platoon tailors its services to highlight the adaptability and resilience of these spouses, transforming perceived gaps into strengths.

What truly sets Code Platoon apart is that the staff understands the challenges Veterans and military spouses face because the entire program is created exclusively for them. The military instills a culture of continuous learning and adaptability—invaluable traits in the ever-evolving tech industry. Rich and Katherine work to align Veterans with career paths that not only utilize their existing skills but also offer opportunities for growth and learning.

In engaging with employers, Code Platoon advocates for a deeper understanding and appreciation of military experience. They connect with companies and organizations that recognize Veterans’ unique strengths: discipline, leadership, and a robust work ethic. This advocacy is crucial in overcoming misconceptions and fostering environments where Veterans and military spouses can thrive.

As Code Platoon graduates navigate their journey into tech careers, the Career Services team is by their side, guiding them through uncharted waters. It’s a journey of transformation, where skills are reimagined, experiences reshaped, and the software engineering skills they built during their time at Code Platoon are retold in a new language. In this endeavor, Rich Luby and Katherine Byrnes aren’t just career coaches; they’re translators, mentors, and navigators, helping our graduates chart a course to a fulfilling civilian life.

A Veteran’s Journey to Leading Tech Teams

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Transitioning from a 14-year career in finance to leading software engineering teams is a significant leap. Charles Kubiak, a Marine Corps Veteran and graduate of Code Platoon’s Full-stack Software Engineering program, undertook this remarkable career shift with determination. His journey to tech leadership is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of Veterans in the tech industry.

“When I decided to switch my career from finance to technology, I was ready for the professional change,” Charles says. “It had been several years since I’d felt any job satisfaction. I dreaded going to work every day.”

Charles’ military background was pivotal in shaping his approach to software engineering. Serving as a light armored vehicle commander for four years in the Marine Corps, he developed the perseverance, leadership, and communication skills critical to his software engineering career.

“The resilience developed in the military aids software development immensely,” Charles explains. “Learning to code is emotionally and mentally taxing. When I finish debugging my code and move to the next step, more often than not, it’s identifying a new set of errors to fix.”

“My keys to success have been a willingness to learn and commit to the challenges of software engineering. Understanding that it’s a lifelong learning journey is essential. Code Platoon was only the beginning.”

After graduating from Code Platoon’s Full-stack Software Engineering program, Charles became an Apprentice Software Crafter at 8th Light. Within five years, he has advanced to the position of Software Delivery Lead. In this role, he continues to leverage his unique perspective and military background to drive innovation at 8th Light.

“Innovation isn’t inventing a colossal paradigm shift in an instant; it’s making incremental changes in day-to-day work,” Charles explains. “I’ve spent the last four years replacing a 25-year-old piece of software that required physical servers in 65 locations. Since the project started, my team has retired the software and migrated it to a modern web application development stack hosted on the cloud.”

Reflecting on his growth as a tech professional over the last five years, Charles emphasizes the collaborative nature of modern software development. “Some stereotypes persist about writing code, like the ‘hacker man’ memes, but my typical day isn’t sitting in the dark coding alone. It involves status meetings, planning sessions, and pairing sessions where we work on code together.”

“As a result, communication has been an essential tool from my military toolbelt,” Charles adds. “It’s crucial for software developers to communicate effectively, especially in remote or distributed teams.”

Staying updated with developments in the tech industry is also a priority for Charles. Committed to continuous learning and professional development, he engages in initiatives to expand his knowledge and skills.

One of the ways he contributes to his professional development is by mentoring and instructing at Code Platoon.

“I couldn’t have imagined my transition to tech without Code Platoon,” he says. “Once I graduated, I felt it was vital to stay involved with the organization and help other Veterans going through the military-to-tech transition.”

“​​My work with Code Platoon has honed my professional skills. Learning something and then teaching it has been a great skill to develop for managing and leading a team.”

As he continues to innovate, mentor, and lead, Charles embodies the ethos from his Veteran background. He continues to make a lasting impact at 8th Light and Code Platoon, inspiring fellow Veterans and leaving an indelible mark on his company’s tech team.

Driving Innovation in DevOps Engineering Education

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Building on the success of its flagship software engineering program, Code Platoon pioneered a new avenue for Veterans, Servicemembers, and spouses to build careers in tech. The organization’s DevOps and Cloud Engineering program signifies a strategic expansion, addressing the growing demand for professionals with cutting-edge DevOps experience by empowering military community members to become leaders in the tech industry. 

“One of the core principles of our DevOps and Cloud Engineering program is adaptability and flexibility. The military experience of our students also hones these qualities,” says Chandra Arya, Code Platoon’s Lead DevOps Instructor. Chandra also played a major role in developing the DevOps curriculum. 

Recognizing that the tech industry is constantly evolving, Code Platoon has an agile approach to its DevOps curriculum. The program is designed to be dynamic, with the flexibility to integrate new tools, methodologies, and best practices as they emerge.

“We constantly interact with industry leaders to maintain the program’s alignment with the latest trends. The experts on the curriculum design team include several Veterans who transitioned to DevOps careers themselves,” Chandra says. “Feedback loops after each cohort and alumni involvement in the instructional team are key strategies to identify ongoing areas for refinement.”

Complementing the teaching of technical tools is the incorporation of problem-solving skills and hands-on assignments. From simulated development environments in the cloud to hands-on assignments, the most important learning objective is empowering students to think through challenges and design their own solutions.

A new facet of the curriculum is the integration of topics in Artificial Intelligence. With AI becoming pivotal in tech, Code Platoon incorporates responsible AI training into the DevOps curriculum. 

“Students are first taught to solve software problems manually. Once they understand the fundamentals, they are trained to leverage AI for repetitive tasks,” Chandra says. “We developed open-ended assignments to foster the exploration of AI solutions. Our focus is on responsible usage and citation of AI contributions.”

The DevOps and Cloud Engineering program at Code Platoon has demonstrated tangible success, with graduates already making strides in the tech workforce. 

“Graduates of the program have unique advantages in the job market, thanks to the program’s comprehensive curriculum and practical focus,” Chandra says. “We provide the tools that, combined with the grit and adaptive thinking skills our graduates developed in the military, ensure they’re well-prepared for DevOps roles.”

Looking to the future, the program’s graduates will evolve with technological advancements. The curriculum will adapt alongside the industry, equipping students with automation, machine learning, and cybersecurity skills.

“The program is poised to shape Veterans entering the tech industry into not just successful DevOps professionals but leaders and innovators in the dynamic tech environments of the future.”