Code Platoon

Highly recommend!

I took this course to level up my programming and automation skills as a Network Engineer. Prior to Code Platoon, I had applied for two Network Engineering roles where I passed the resume screening but hit a wall on the technical coding assessments. This course gave me the exact skills and knowledge I was missing.

The curriculum delivered everything promised, though instructor professionalism and teaching quality was great, at very rare times, it was a miss. Fortunately, leadership was responsive when issues were brought to their attention. That said, this bootcamp moves fast and is NOT for absolute beginners. What set me up for success was taking their free Intro to Python course beforehand and completing all assigned pre-work. If you enroll, do your pre-work,  or you'll be behind on day one.

The skills I gained here directly helped me land an internal promotion working on Network Engineering automation and programmability!

Pros: Offered online, incredible career transformation, dedicated instructors.

Cons: Very fast-paced—requires serious self-discipline and time management!

I recently graduated from Code Platoon AI Cloud & DevOps Engineering program. While taking the course, I was able to complete the following  AWS cedrtification: AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, AWS Certified AI Practitioner and AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer - Associate. This was possible due to the amount of work put in by the instructors and teachin assistant to curate and teach lessons tailored to the programs and the certifications. I learned a lot about AWS cloud services and was able to practice what I was taught in class. I will  highly recommend the program to anyone interested and willing to put in the time and hardwork to complete the program, because it was an immersive program. 
PROS: Exposure to. AWS cloud services and being able to use the resources during the program and completing projects with it was one of the best experience. I appreciate the dedication and zeal of the instructors and teaching assistants during the program, because they are willing and ready to spend extra time with all students to know the content of the material and also research any question with the students.

CONS: Better communication of the schedules during holidays is needed for proper planning and engagement.

I just recently graduated from Code Platoon's Immersive Full-Stack Software Engineering program this month and I can't say enough positive things about this program and the staff that work there. I was extremely worried starting the program because I had a previous bad experience with another SE Bootcamp called FlatIron because they didn't actually teach you any lessons in the bootcamp and only offered minimum support for learning the concepts, so I wasn't sure what to expect going into Code Platoon's program. However, I had absolutely no reason to worry because Code Platoon is far superior to the other bootcamp and the staff genuinely care about their students and will put the time in to make sure you understand the topics and concepts. The instructors presented the lectures in ways that made it easy to follow and ask questions and if you didn't understand they'd break the concept down a different way to help make it clear. They always encouraged questions and class participation and were always available to offer assistance to students if you are struggling. I felt as though they really cared about ensuring each one of us in our cohort was successful in the program. They also offer a robust curriculum that prepares you with the fundamentals as well as languages such as Django, PostgreSQL, Flask, React, etc. We also always had TAs available to help us during class hours and after hours to ensure we weren't getting stuck on problems or issues. During the program they also setup Beyond Tech Talks and brought in employers to prepare us for topics we needed to know going into a tech career. Finally, their Career Services and Job Assistance also goes above and beyond as they incorporate several topics like behavioral interviews, technical interviews, job search best practices, etc to make sure we are prepared for job searching as soon as we complete the program. We also got to talk to employers like Google and DFR to learn about interviewing process best practices and what to expect in your first role. During the program they also set you up with a mentor and a volunteer resume coach to offer you additional support and resources. Code Platoon truly goes above and beyond to make sure their students are setup for success. As I stated above, this bootcamp is top notch and by far the best bootcamp out there for active duty military members and their families, as well as veterans and their families. I'm so grateful I was given the opportunity to complete this bootcamp. They also offer a variety of ways to pay for the program so you have flexibility. You won't regret attending this bootcamp!

I would highly recommend Code Platoon to any service member or spouse looking to get into software development. After graduating from their Full-Stack Software Engineering cohort, I am still amazed at the progress I made in such a short amount of time. Having taken college classes both in person and online, Code Platoon offered the best learning environment/experience I have ever had. The entire staff is absolutely fantastic and only wants to see you succeed. Questions are only encouraged and the support offered even after class hours ensures that no student is left behind.

I would highly recommend Code Platoon to any service member or spouse looking to get into software development. I recently graduated from their Full-Stack Software Engineering course and I am blown away at the progress I and my classmates made in such a short amount of time. Having taken college classes both in person and online, code platoon offered the best learning environment/experience I have ever had. The staff is absolutely fantastic and only wants to see you succeed. Questions are only encouraged and the support offered even after class hours ensures that no student is left to struggle alone. While I had some experience coding prior to applying, there were students who had zero coding experience prior to applying who succeeded in the course. We also had several students land jobs prior to graduating thanks to knowledge and skills they gained from the course. 

I recently Graduated from Code Platoon in their Uniform Platoon Full-Stack course. My experience with Code Platoon is one I will never forget. I learned more in 3 months than I would of learn in any college setting. As a prior college student and military service member I have never witnessed better instruction than I did while going through their course. Code Platoon takes you from knowing little to nothing about programming to creating complete applications from start to finish within 3 months. On top of their curriculum, they offer amazing career services / resume coaches / mentors / TA to assist you on your journey to help you along the way. This program IS a full time commitment. You need to be ready to dedicate the entirety of all 3 months to Code Platoon to get the best out of your time. If this isn't for you they also have other options like their weekend course/ part time. The course is for military service members transitioning out the military / military veterans / and military spouses so you feel right at home. If you're interested in become a software developer this is the course for you

I was not the most experienced, nor was I the least experienced. However, I feel I can safely speak for a vast majority of the class in that we learned more in the past four months than I already knew through college or previous courses. Code Platoon not only improved on what was already known or taught during its Fundamentals of Programming pre-course, but it taught through both instruction and hands-on practice how to develop full stack applications in a clean and succinct way. I have zero regrets about this course and encourage everyone who has the opportunity to engage with Code Platoon.

I was lucky to find out about the VET TEC pilot program and get accepted into it. I always wanted to be a software engineer, but I didn't want to start over with a bachelor's degree in Computer Science since I already had one in Cybersecurity. When I learned about VET TEC and Code Platoon during the end of my deployment, I knew this program could help me switch careers from Cybersecurity to Software Engineering.

I joined the Delta Evening & Weekend Cohort, and it was tough to manage the program's time requirements while working full-time and being in the National Guard. However, it paid off, and I got a job as a software engineer. I would definitely recommend this program - it's a solid 10/10.

Pros

Solid Curriculum: Code Platoon's well-rounded curriculum taught me various programming languages and software development techniques, preparing me for a software engineering career.

Cons

Time Management: The program was intensive, and I found it tough to balance with full-time work and other responsibilities like family and National Guard duties.

 

My initial reasoning for choosing Code Platoon was because they were approved for DoD Skillbridge, and I'm 100% glad I went with them. Not only did I learn a very robust set of skills from an experienced team of instructors, they also allowed me the flexibility to handle my personal life while still being active in the course. It's clear that the primary focus of the organization is to help people LEARN new skills, and they didn't leave a single student on the sidelines to struggle on their own. Friendly, professional, knowledgeable, and the support structure with their partnerships and guest speakers is above and beyond what I anticipated. 10/10 recommend for anyone trying to start in the Tech Industry. 

I had the privilege to participate in Code Platoon's Evening and Weekend program these past 6.5 months. I am currently Active Duty and could not recommend it enough to other Active Duty military members, in fact I have already talked up Code Platoon to several co-workers of mine and I think at least one might apply. Even though it was time consuming, I never had a day where I did not look forward to class after work. The instructors, TA's, and curriculum were great!

Overall, Code Platoon was a very good experience for me. I feel confident that the knowledge and materials provided to me over the past 7 months will lend a huge hand in starting my career in Full Stack Web Development. This course was thorough and the instructors were clear and concise in their lectures. They also didn’t hesitate to answer any questions that the students had. I would recommend this course to anyone interested in it. Just be sure to give 100% and you will be glad you did!

I can't recommend this program enough. I was in the first cohort of students in the part-time program and we did the program 100% remote (right in the heart of Covid). I was a little bit hesitant about doing the program remotely, but it turned out to be an awesome experience. We met 3 times a week, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and all day on Saturday for a teaching session, and then worked on projects after the lecture with help from the instructors. The only negative thing about doing the program remotely was that the internship options are not as robust as they are for in-person students (that was the case when I was a student anyways, they may have changed that now). I found a 100% remote role soon after graduating that incorporates my software skills and pays about 40% more than my previous job. If you're a veteran or spouse, this is definitely the right bootcamp for you. The scholarships make it the most affordable option, too!

Code Platoon is honest when they tell you it will be difficult, but you’re stacking a whole lot of knowledge into a few months. Regardless, it was the best decision of my life. I went from level 0 knowledge to being able to create fullstack applications, and now have an amazing software engineering apprenticeship. The instructors were awesome, the curriculum aligns with the industry, and I made some of the best friends I have - all while being remote. You’re going to have to put in work, that’s a given. But it was a blast and I couldn’t have images a better experience. Not only do you learn A LOT, but you also get to meet industry professionals and mentors to help with interviews, your resume, and your learning styles. Then upon graduating if you didn’t participate in the internship program, you get resources from their career services professionals to assist in the job hunt. This isn’t a bootcamp where they give you some online tasks then that’s it - there’s lecture, assessments, projects, 2 instructors, and a plethora of TAs you can talk to both during the day and after class. 

This course teaches you everything that you need to become a full stack web developer including JavaScript, Python, React, Django, PostgreSQL, and much more. By the end of this you will walk away knowing how to develop a fully operational website and have a base of knowledge with the tools necessary to expand that knowledge. Their workshops are very useful and information dense. The presentations are very resourceful and will help answer any questions that you may have about the industry or anything coding related. The instructors are very understanding if you have anything occur that may distract you from participating, but it is up to you to catch up. They also go above and beyond teaching you how to be a developer. In addition, they provide you the assistance you need to become a developer, such as a résumé coach and career services. I would highly recommend this course to any veteran who wants to work as a developer. And for those who are considering, it is a challenging and demanding grind, but the instructors are there to help you every step of the way, and the reward that you get from completing this are more than worth it. This is honestly one of the greatest decisions that I have ever personally made, and I am sure that anyone that takes this course will feel no different.

There is nothing more to say other than my title really.  Unbelievable amount of resources, staff is top notch, they have remote learning down to a science, and a dedicated alumni network that is very active.  Even though it could be extremely challenging/frustrating, the feeling of successfully solving a problem or having a concept finally click outweighs the frustration a hundred times over.  There were a ridiculous amount of TA's (former students, industry professionals, and child prodigies [literally, we had a 17 year old TA that might have been the smartest human being I have ever met in my life]), you can sign up to have a mentor, and the instructors are also top notch.  While you can feel overwhelmed, there is always someone to help out and everyone made it an extremely fun learning environment.  I cannot say enough about the course, truly one of a kind!

My journey into professional software development started as I was transitioning from an Active Duty service member into a Navy Veteran. I came across the VET TEC program on the Veterans Affairs Education website. The VET TEC education courses are helpful for Veterans and Spouses that would like to transition and advance into the high-technology industry. The goal is to match up Veterans with a leading training provider to help develop those high-tech skills to quickly be placed in a high-paying tech job.

The program has a long list of approved providers. As I scanned through all of the providers, the one that stuck out most was Code Platoon's Full-Stack Software Engineering Bootcamp. It was a program that focused on giving Veterans the tools they need to succeed as a Full-Stack Software Engineer. Additionally, it's located in Chicago, near the same place every Navy Saylor starts their career at the Navy Boot Camp Recruit Training. 

Initially, my experience with Code Platoon started with the administration process. You begin by filling out some forms about your background. You provide some videos of yourself answering some interview-like questions. Finally, you're given some resources and some coding challenges to complete. Once you've completed that process and have done everything correctly, you'll be approved to start in the cohort of your choosing. 

I was a part of the PAPA platoon cohort, which officially started OCT 2021 and ended JAN 2022. Before the cohort starts, you are required to complete some prework. It's about four weeks of self-paced learning to get you prepared. The initial prework documentation outlined expectations, resources for help, and all the tools needed to set you up to be successful in the Boot Camp. At the end of the prework, you're given a live coding challenge with one of the instructors to ensure that you completed the prework and retained the information.

Now, the actual course can be pretty intense and fast-paced. Each week will become increasingly more difficult. You will need to show up five days a week on time, ready to learn. Every day starts with a live online workshop teaching new programing or career-building concepts. In the second half of the day, you will be applying those newly learned skills on your own or paired with other students in a paired programming environment. If you get stuck, you have access to a group of very skilled and knowledgeable instructors and TA's that will quickly help you out. Their goal is not to give you the answer but to help you develop the skills to find the answer.

Each week you'll focus on learning JavaScript, Python, Django, SQL, React, Data Structures, Algorithms, Version Control, Paired programming, Career building, and much, much more. Overall, the Code Platoon Boot Camp will give any Veteran willing to learn all the tools needed to succeed in the Software Development space. 

I was impressed with how this school handled remote learning. They were flexible with my time - so when my kid had some issues at school, I was able to deal with that and then get back to class. 

I loved being able to work as part of a team with other students. The students in class with me were other individuals who were extremely motivated to be there, and really made the experience shine.

The teaching assistants were amazing. We ALWAYS had someone to ask a question to. The alumni so far are great - anyone I reach out to replies within a few hours to connect.

I feel more prepared now to get a job than ever.

Attending Code Platoon was a great experience.  The instructors and executive director are always looking to make the program better with each cohort and it shows in the resulting course.  As you would expect, the pace of learning is very quick and sometime hard to keep up with.  But, there are lots of people willing to help.  My cohort of 30 students had 2 instructors, 4 intern TAs (that were in class with us), and 9 volunteer TAs (for after hours).  By the end, I felt confident about being able to write a full-stack application.  

I originally picked this bootcamp because of the updated and relevant curriculum and the too-good-to-be-true reviews that I read online. I can say that even with the great reviews, this bootcamp has blown away my expectations. The lectures are clearly taught, there are TA's available to help during and after class time, and the students are all willing to help each other succeed. Additionally the curriculum is reviewed and updated each cohort based on the weekly feedback from students, meaning that each cohort will be better than the previous one. I have nothing negative to say so if you are a veteran or military spouse sign up, keep studying, and don't be afraid to reach out on Slack to ask alumni for help . 

Originally, I was set to attend another bootcamp until I found out about Code Platoon. I did a lot of research trying to figure out which bootcamp would best set me up for a successful career as a SWE and ultimately decided CP was my best option. What really convinced me was the reviews of past students I found on the internet. Everyone spoke highly of this bootcamp and emphasized the amount of support you would get from peers, TA's, and instructors. The reviews on the internet were right, I had a really amazing learning experience. It was very challenging, but I felt I had the support I needed every step of the way. 

The curriculum is top notch, I don't think that get's mentioned in these reviews, but CP pays very careful attention to what and how something is being taught. As a former teacher, I really appreciated this aspect of the bootcamp. If you have the opportunity to attend CP, do it, it's the best coding bootcamp out there right now. 

If you're a veteran, service-member, or military spouse I would highly recommend this program if you're serious about jumping into tech. 

Pros:
-This course teaches you both Python and Javascript. Many other coding bootcamps have you working in a single language such as JavaScript, which tends to constrict what type of projects or areas of development you can pursue. Having Python be a major language used during the cohort was great as the language works very well for web development, data science, or any sort of automation that you can think of.

-You also can participate in earning two free certifications (AWS CCP and Agile). This is voluntary, but I highly recommend at least pursuing the AWS cert. It was one of the primary factors that helped me obtain an internship before graduating. 

-Code Platoon matches students into apprenticeships each cohort. The number of apprenticeships available varies, but this cohort we had around ~10 available positions scattered across different sized companies in various industries. If you don't get matched in an apprenticeship you still get career service help afterwards.

-The education level of each student varies, which is nice if you're new to programming. If you're a newbie, you're going to be working with tons of people just like you, but also have a few people attend who have been coding for multiple years. At first you may feel nervous about working with the more experienced people, but I totally recommend it in helping you grow.

Thinks to know beforehand:
-This isn't primarily a Code Platoon thing, but coding bootcamps in general: be ready to do a lot of learning on your own. The instructors and TAs will help you along the way, but there's a high expectation that you will study outside of class to pick up concepts you feel fuzzy on. It's very easy to fall behind if you get lazy.

-You're not guaranteed a job after completing a coding bootcamp, Code Platoon or otherwise. Make sure you realize that finding a role is a grind and that you're expected to put in a lot of work on your own career development. When looking at my situation, I would say that I performed in the middle of the pack in terms of coding competency, yet still managed to find an internship before graduating. Finding a role all depends on your willingness to put in an effort.

-The program has just started putting an emphasis on remote learning, but a lot of things like apprenticeship placement are focused primarily for those in the Chicago area. They're making good progress, but expect if you're an attendee that about half of if not more of the apprenticeships will require you to at least move temporarily to Chicago. The other half are either scattered across the US or fully remote positions. Be ready for a lot of competition if you're looking for a remote gig.

I attended Code Platoon as an in person student from May 2021 - September 2021. I did have prior knowledge of python. During my time there I learned html/css, javascript, python, Django, react, and other technologies. Along with that I learned soft skills that will benefit me in a team base environment. Along with the core technologies we also had guest speakers and workshops that gave you a different perspective of the coding world. The teachers at code platoon are absolutely amazing and technically knowledgable. Along with having the teachers help you with problems, we also had amazing TAs that were more than willing to help you with any questions on the lesson for the day. It’s encouraged to try the answer yourself because it allows you to grow as a programmer, but you have a network to reach out to. Overall I would definitely recommend this program to anyone that is on the fence about attending and glad I choose Code Platoon.

Transitioning out of military life, whether you’re a veteran or a military spouse, is a challenging endeavor. Learning the skills and culture of the civilian workforce can be liking moving to a foreign country where you don’t speak the language. Code Platoon does an amazing job of helping to make that transition. 

Beginning with their boot camp prep course, they go above and beyond to help you be prepared to complete the rigorous 14-week curriculum. The curriculum is designed to give you the hard and soft skills needed to be successful as a software engineer while focusing on popular but enduring technologies that are in demand now and will continue to be relevant in the future.

I can’t say enough positive things about the instructors and teaching assistants. They are there to help you succeed, and they go above and beyond to achieve that goal. There’s no cutthroat environment at Code Platoon - everyone is supportive and genuinely wants to see you complete the program.

Their career services team is also top-notch. They work with you to craft an amazing resume, assist in your job search, and prepare you for the interviewing process. They’re so good that I had a job offer before graduation!

If you are transitioning into software development and meet the requirements to apply, I strongly encourage you to do it! You won’t find a better boot camp.

I attended Code Platoon as a remote student from May 2021 to September 2021. It is an intensive 14 week course to teach full stack software engineering, tech industry norms, and the skills necessary to grow over time once the students enter their first jobs. I entered Code Platoon with some knowledge of computer science, and having written some code, but the amount and variety of problems, solutions and techniques we learned over the 14 weeks was awesome. The course uses Python and Javascript as the main languages, and a variety of approaches to styling. Additionally, there are excellent career coaching opportunities in the weekly Beyond Tech discussions on topics from salary negotiations to Imposter syndrome. A variety of workshops and lectures also round out the curriculum, with topics from cyber security to data structures featuring. Lastly the program offers an apprenticeship program which is geared towards Chicago based attendance. If you can make the move to Chicago work to attend the course in person, you should consider it as the positions available through the apprenticeships are dope. This cohort had one remote apprenticeship, and six in person apprenticeships available to a class of approximately 22.

This course had two primary instructors who are technically adept, passionate about the material they teach, and genuinely work to improve understanding of their students and to help them succeed. Additionally, there are volunteer in-industry assistants available in the evenings to go over problems, as well as student TAs who bring a wealth of knowledge and talent to help out when the going gets tough. With the variety of help you can get when stuck, it's really handy because it's going to happen. There's just too many problems to solve that you won't run aground on a few of them. The instructors understand that, and have also made lectures from previous cohorts available on youtube to help guide your solutions.

Attending remotely was a requirement for me due to family and my partner's employment, and I still had a blast with this school. There were many long nights, but I am graduating this program with a whole lot more certainty that this is a career field I can succeed and thrive in. If I had known more about how the internship/apprenticeship program worked, I would have more seriously considered attending in person.

If you're interested in software engineering, I recommend this course. The skills and understanding you can gain are awesome, and I'm glad I went with this program.

I recently graduated from Code Platoon's full time 14-week immersive program.   Before Code Platoon I spent over a year teaching myself the basics of web development, but after a while it was obvious that I was going to need some help if I wanted to break into the industry.  I found Code Platoon and could not pass up on the opportunity that they presented and I am so happy that I chose to take the leap.  It was far from an easy experience.  The stronger your Javascript and Python skills are going in, the more comfortable you will be, especially in the first half of the program.  Code Platoon will have a lot of resources available to ensure that you succeed like TAs and mentors make sure that you utilize them. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help when you are stuck.  Sometimes all it takes for something to click is to see how someone else would approach the problem.  Just remember that there is a reason you are there, you deserve to be there, and trust the process!

 I attended Code Platoon remotely from February – May, 2021.  I was able to attend through the DoD SkillBridge Program, of which Code Platoon is an approved program, during my last few months of Active Duty.   Though my entire experience was remote, It did not detract from the immersive experience and overall quality education.  In just a few short months, myself and others, all of whom were at different levels of experience, were able to go from writing simple “Hello World” scripts, to full-stack applications incorporating multiple 3rd party APIs.  This was done through a multitude of individual, as well as group work, that got each student used to the industry standards that we would each be expected to understand as we move into the job search.  The technology stack we used throughout Code Platoon included Python/Django, JavaScript/React and Postgres/SQL as well as HTML/CSS.  This exposed us to modern technology, that is in demand in throughout the industry, and also gave us a more diverse skillset, as opposed to a purely JavaScript based curriculum.  Code Platoon also offered numerous workshops throughout the cohort with teams and individuals in the industry to expose us to new technology or give us a more in-depth look at the tech we were learning.  In addition to this we also were given “Beyond Tech” workshops that helped students learn skills that went beyond just technology.  One of the beyond tech workshops I found particularly useful was the personal finance workshop, as I hadn’t had much experience with money management.   Code Platoon also offered an optional mentorship throughout the program that pairs students with a mentor in the industry.  I, being active duty Army at the time, was excited to have a mentor who was an Army Veteran.  With my mentor I was able to ask more in depth questions about the current tech industry, as well as learn new skills that may not have been offered in Code Platoon.  Lastly, the cohort offers an apprenticeship program, that gives students the opportunity to interview and potentially land an internship or fulltime job with partner companies.   This is an incredibly valuable option for students, and helps keep everyone motivated to work their hardest and learn the material as thoroughly as they can.  Overall, I can’t recommend this program enough to any Veteran, active duty service member, or military spouse!
 
 Pros: 
 - Strong Curriculum that exposes students to an awesome tech stack that is prevalent throughout  the industry.   -Offers both technical and non-technical workshops to help strengthen students’ knowledge and preparedness to enter the industry. 
 
 -The apprenticeship program is an extremely valuable program that can help new programmers enter the industry with awesome companies.  Cons: -If you have any prior experience coding, it can start off a little slow.  - Being remote as of May 2021 (Though this may change), can present difficulties in some cases, though for the most part Code Platoon handled it well.  
 
 

By all means this is not an easy course. But if you stick to it and put in the time, Code Platoon will set you up for success! Before starting, learn BASIC Javascript and Python. This is what is covered in the first few weeks. By week 16 you will be making full stack web applications using React and Django. Checkout the Code Platoon youtube channel, there is plenty of videos, everything from class lectures all the way to graduation! 

While this boot camp was rigorous. I learned so much. I definitely recommend that you have a good familiarity with JavaScript and Python before you begin the program. Utilize your TA's, do not be embarrassed about what you don't know. They're there to help. They want you to succeed and will do whatever they can to help you. Try to study, definitely work on your problem-solving skills and algorithms throughout the course. Participate in the mentorship program. Also, remember to breathe, and take care of your mental health. This course is going to challenge you, but you can do it! 

A FullStack dev bootcamp focused for veterans and military spouses with little to no prior programming experience. Code Platoon does a fantastic job teaching the fundamentals and advanced skills that you will need to succeed in coding. Their services go beyond just coding with full career prep and counseling.

Though the task seems daunting at the start, the weeks will fly by and you will not believe how far you can go!