Stepping into the world of coding may initially seem like learning a new language from another planet. However, with the right approach and guidance, you can unravel the intricacies and swiftly become proficient. As a teaching assistant at Code Platoon, I understand the struggles beginners often encounter. In this blog post, I will delve with you into essential tips for solving coding challenges that can transform a novice into a coding ninja.

1. Understand the Problem

Before you dive into coding, take a moment to fully understand the problem you are trying to solve. Read the problem multiple times, underline key points, and paraphrase it in your own words. Consider drawing diagrams or creating pseudo-code to visualize the problem and the desired outcome.

2. Break it Down

Breaking down the problem into smaller, more manageable pieces makes it less intimidating and easier to solve. As the ancient proverb says, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Each coding challenge is a puzzle, and each piece of the puzzle is a step towards your solution.

3. Plan Your Approach

After understanding and breaking down the problem, the next step is to design a solution. Plan your approach strategically. What kind of data structures and algorithms will be most effective? What functions might you need? Outlining your strategy before diving into coding will save you time and reduce errors.

4. Start Coding

Now it’s time to bring your plan to life. Start coding using the approach you outlined. It’s important to write clean, concise, and readable code. Remember to add comments to your code – it not only helps others understand your logic but also helps you maintain a coherent flow.

5. Test Your Code

Testing is a critical part of coding. Run your code with different test cases to make sure it’s working as expected. Check edge cases to verify your code can handle all possible inputs. If you encounter errors, don’t panic – debugging is part of the process.

6. Refactor and Optimize Your Code

Once your code is working correctly, take a moment to review it. Can it be more efficient? Can you make it cleaner and more readable? Always strive to optimize your code to be more efficient and maintainable.

7. Practice, Practice, Practice

Coding, like any other skill, improves with practice. Engage in daily coding exercises, participate in coding challenges, and practice problem-solving on platforms like LeetCode. As you tackle more and more problems, you’ll start seeing patterns and become more comfortable with different coding challenges.

Embarking on your coding journey can seem daunting, but remember that every expert was once a beginner. Use these tips as a roadmap to guide you through solving coding challenges. Keep an open mind, be patient with yourself, and remember that every problem you solve brings you one step closer to becoming a seasoned coder.

Robert Sears is an Army Veteran turned computer science student. He enjoys contributing to the Veteran community and works as a teaching assistant for Code Platoon. In his free time, he loves powerlifting and spending time with his cat, Merlin.

In the worlds of military development and software engineering, history provides valuable insights. As a former Airborne Infantryman and history buff, I like to research how my predecessors did things. The Sky Soldiers of WWII offer a great deal of inspiration, after all. 

One of the questions I recently dug into was, How much gear did someone in the 101st Airborne carry when they jumped into Normandy on D-Day? I discovered that the weight carried into battle in 1944 was remarkably similar to my loadout as I walked the streets of places like Tikrit, Iraq – they just had less stuff. 

Sixty to seventy pounds of gear on an average patrol has been standard for decades, but what composes that has changed a great deal. Advancements in technology have allowed us to carry much more ammunition, medical supplies, and food without a change in overall weight.

This development offers a significant lesson in the history of software engineering and technology. When reductions in size, weight, or cost (or all of these) occur, it rarely results in an overall net decrease in usage or less energy expended at the end goal. Instead, these advancements make coding more efficient, refining workflows and enabling tasks to be completed faster.

I offer this example to suggest that, given historical realities, technologies like AI Chatbots will not take the jobs of software developers and engineers. Rather, AI will enable them to increase the speed at which they accomplish tasks, so long as they adapt to the new technology. AI will help software engineers do more of what they are doing and do it more quickly and efficiently.

I recall using a calculator for the first time when I was about eight years old and thinking, Why do I need to learn math? Won’t this do it all for me?

Well, that was around 1981, and here we are in 2023 with mathematicians still in demand. Mathematics remains a highly respected field in academia and business, despite massive increases in machine computing ability at nearly everyone’s fingertips in the workforce. 

Some may counter that AI is a substantial leap forward from my comparisons, possibly even one that eclipses all other advancements by orders of magnitude. I am not an expert in the field, so it is not my place to say whether that is true. Instead, I offer the following two points to consider.

First, be leery of anyone making absolutist claims about the unknown. In the last week, I’ve read statements that range from “AI Chatbots will kill us all” to “They are nothing more than a Wikipedia you can talk to.” Both extremes seem problematic, mainly because we don’t fully know yet. 

Second, acquaint yourself early with new technologies if you want to work in the software engineering field (and probably even if you don’t). Learning to use and maximize a new technology will nearly always be better than remaining ignorant of it.

In other words, AI is not something to shy away from, so don’t let this new tool pass you by. Embrace the opportunity it presents by actively engaging with chatbots and learning how they can help you improve your software engineering skills.

Greg Drobny is a former Airborne Infantryman, PSYOP Team Chief, political consultant, professional military blogger, and Code Platoon’s Student Outreach and Recruitment Manager. He holds a BA and MA in history and an MS in organizational psychology. He is married with four children who keep him more than slightly busy, and is passionate about helping Veterans find their paths in life and develop the skills needed to pursue their goals.

The Full-stack Software Engineering: Immersive Tango Platoon completed their final group projects and graduated from Code Platoon’s military Coding Bootcamp. During graduation, the Veteran tech program graduates showcased the full-stack web applications they developed in teams. Here are their final presentations, demonstrating their working applications and describing the front end, back end, and product management tools they mastered during the program.

First up is Cypherpunk. Cypherpunk is an online game for people learning to code. The game presentation shows unique levels teaching intro coding concepts: beginning with “Hello World!” and continuing into strings and integers. It was developed by an Active Duty Soldier, an Army Veteran, and a Marine Corps Veteran.

Check out the Cypherpunk presentation.

BeerBuddies is the next presentation. BeerBuddies helps friends connect virtually over their favorite beers. Users purchase tokens for certain beers through the app, which they can redeem for a beer to send to their friends via a unique QR code. The BeerBuddies team feed metadata through an API integration to create this QR code. The QR codes are also encrypted through CryptoJS to prevent users from creating fakes. 

A team of an Active Duty Naval Officer, two Air Force Servicemembers, a Navy Veteran, and an Air Force Veteran developed BeerBuddies. Dive into their presentation below.

The next project–Behav.io–was created by a team of three Navy Veterans. It is a web application to help software engineers prepare for behavioral interviews. Behav.io features a database of common behavioral interview questions broken down into categories for practice. Each question has its own card with buttons to reveal an answer example and to save the question to a favorites page.

Behav.io also has an AI feedback feature. With the connected OpenAI API, users can receive personalized AI-generated feedback from ChatGPT. The feedback is also stored for users to revisit as they continue to practice their behavioral interviewing skills.

Watch the presentation by the Behave.io team.

Tinder Tots is the fourth project in our graduation showcase. Tinder Tots is a mobile-responsive full-stack web application created by an Air Force Veteran, Navy Veteran, Marine Corps Veteran, Marine Corps Servicemember, and a military spouse. Expecting parents can swipe through prospective baby names on Tinder Tots until they create a ranked list and emerge with a list of shared favorites to choose from. It was made with Python through Django Framework on the back end and Tailwind CSS and Flowbite component library on the front end. The data is hosted in a PostgreSQL database.

SHIFT is a tool to automate scheduling medical student volunteers for events in the hospital system. The scheduler can add events and the number of volunteers needed, and students can indicate their availability and sign up for specific activities as part of the event. SHIFT uses Material UI on the front end and SendGrid Email API to deliver confirmation emails to the medical students. 

Two Army Veterans and an Air Force Veteran developed SHIFT, and a real Chicago hospital system is currently considering purchasing the app from the Veteran tech graduates.

The last demonstration for Tango Platoon is VolunteerCompass. VolunteerCompass is a volunteer management web application for event coordinators. The app also allows users to register for these events and search for new volunteering opportunities in their location on a Google Maps layout. 

VolunteerCompass was developed using JavaScript on the front end in conjunction with the Google Maps JavaScript API. The VolunteerCompass team is comprised of Air National Guard Veteran, Navy Veteran, military spouse, Navy Reservist, and Air Force Servicemember graduates.

We’re proud of the incredible applications showcased during this cohort’s final project demonstrations. Congratulations, Tango Platoon!

The entire project showcase and graduation ceremony is available to watch on Code Platoon’s YouTube channel.

The team at Code Platoon understands the importance of working with the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure Veterans can use their VA Education Benefits to find careers. Over the past five years, we have been a leading provider of VET TEC, and I have had the incredible opportunity to shape the pilot program’s future. 

Adopting the VET TEC Pilot Program

VET TEC is an innovative VA Education Benefit allowing Veterans to attend high-technology training programs and find careers after graduation. The VET TEC pilot program began in 2019, with Code Platoon among the first three approved providers to train Veterans. One of my roles at Code Platoon is to complete all of the electronic filings to the VA and be the point of contact for both the VA and students.

I have seen first-hand how the VET TEC program is a lifeline for non-traditional Veteran learners eager to find a career in high technology. When the pandemic forced code schools to move their training online, Code Platoon was prepared to serve the increase in Veterans interested in our training programs. Enrollment spiked because VET TEC allowed these Veterans to train remotely.

VET TEC providers continue to see high job placement outcomes for thousands of Veterans. Code Platoon has trained 168 Veteran students via VET TEC. During the pandemic, our graduating class from January 2021 had 100% job placement within six months of graduation. Our remote programs have had the same or better placement rates than in-person.

Founding the VET TEC Working Group

While VET TEC is similar to the GI Bill, there are meaningful differences that approved providers have to navigate. To help improve providers’ understanding of VET TEC, I started the VET TEC Working Group in 2019. What began as an ad-hoc call among three to five providers is now a monthly meeting with more than 50 consistent attendees. Providers describe these calls as “the best training we receive each month.”

Representatives from The Department of Veterans Affairs also participate in the VET TEC Working Group. By creating consistent and open lines of communication between providers and the VA teams, we can address problems quickly and help Veterans use the VET TEC program efficiently. This collaboration has dramatically increased the success of VET TEC and positioned the program to become permanent as we near the end of the five-year pilot program.

Testifying for “Forever VET TEC”

I was recently invited to testify before the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity. As the only VET TEC provider on the panel, I shared my unique experiences with Congress and helped write the VET TEC Authorization Act of 2023. This act, nicknamed “Forever VET TEC,” would make VET TEC a permanent program.

During the hearing, I discussed the history of VET TEC, the providers’ and Veterans’ experiences during the pilot program, and the opportunities to help more Veterans find meaningful employment as VET TEC becomes permanent. My full testimony and the drafted VET TEC Authorization Act of 2023 are available publicly on the house.gov website.

While in Washington, DC, I also met with Congressional stakeholders in the VET TEC program. I had the opportunity to advise the following:

• Juan Ciscamoni, U.S. House of Representatives and lead sponsor of the VET TEC Authorization Act of 2023
• Joseph Garcia, Executive Director of Educational Services, Veterans Benefits Administration
• Schnell Carraway, Policy and Regulation Lead, Department of Veterans Affairs
• Faye Fernandez, Counsel for US Senate
• Kelsey Baron, Senior Professional Staff Member and Defense Policy Advisor for Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
• Ally Cimino, Deputy General Counsel, US House of Representatives
• Nicholas Ayers, Senior Legislative Assistant to Rep. Juan Ciscamoni
• Katy Flynn, General Counsel and Staff Director, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity for US House of Representatives
• Chase Bergerson, Legislative Assistant, Committee on Veterans’ Affairs for US House of Representatives

The bi-partisan and collaborative approach to “Forever VET TEC”  illustrates the seriousness with which the VA, Congress, and Code Platoon are operating to ensure that VET TEC is available to Veterans for many years to come. 

Alicia Boddy serves as the Director of Partnerships for Code Platoon. In this role, she focuses on building relationships with partners, including companies that provide apprenticeships and preferred hiring opportunities to Code Platoon graduates. She works closely with the Executive Director focusing on strategic planning, regulatory approvals and compliance, and student services, including admissions, enrollment, and Career Services. She is the School Certifying Official, the main point of contact for the VA and students. Alicia is a Concordia University, Chicago and The Ohio State University graduate.

From a young age, Jennifer’s dream was to serve in the military and follow in the footsteps of their father. Despite knowing they would have to conceal their identity, Jennifer was motivated by the opportunity to gain job experience and save money for their transition.

“I wanted to join the military, even though I’d have to be in the closet,” Jennifer said. “I hoped my military experience would make it easier to afford my transition and start my career.”

Jennifer enlisted after graduating from high school in 2005. In the Navy, they were an Information Systems Technician, sparking an interest in technology as an over-the-phone tech support specialist. They were soon promoted to working in a server room.

“I loved the tech skills I was learning in the Navy,” Jennifer said. “But personally, I was living a double life. I was pretending to be a man on base while, at the same time, I was trying to be my authentic self away from work. I became depressed.”

“In 2008, I finally had to tell the on-base therapist I was trans and that I couldn’t pretend any longer. The therapist wanted to help, but very little could be done since transgender people couldn’t serve in the military at that time. So I was honorably discharged.”

After their discharge, Jennifer returned to a tech support job as a civilian, and they started living their life as their authentic self.

“It was amazing when I could finally stop pretending and just be me,” Jennifer said. “But I still carried trauma.” 

“Because of how I was treated in the Navy, I assumed the VA would not provide the healthcare I needed. Fortunately, I was wrong.

“If you’re a trans Veteran, don’t make the mistake I did. The VA will help you.”

When Jennifer started going to the VA, they saw a gap in the information available for transgender Veterans. So they started sharing their story and participating in workshops to educate VA medical staff on the needs of the trans community. 

“It wasn’t easy at first, but the VA’s acceptance and understanding of trans people has improved. I’m proud to have played a small part in creating that change,” they said.

Jennifer found their work advocating for transgender Veterans rewarding, and soon it became their full-time job.

“I earned a Peer Supporter job at a mental health nonprofit,” they said. “I led peer support groups for trans people, mental health, and active recovery communities, and I loved it. I was at the center of the Ohio trans community. But it was taxing; my company was very bureaucratic. I felt like a cog in the machine, not a person.”

To decompress after work, Jennifer began teaching themself JavaScript as a hobby.

“I didn’t intend to pursue a tech career but found Code Platoon while looking for free learning resources. I thought that  I had to take advantage of this opportunity.

“Then I had so much fun learning coding that I wanted to keep doing it. I applied for a software engineering apprenticeship after I graduated.”

Jennifer is now a software engineer apprentice at 8th Light. Besides their tech skills from the Navy, Jennifer brings their peer support and activism experience to the role. They started an LGBTQIA+ employee social meetup and work with their office’s human resources to support mental health improvements for their colleagues. 

“I left my job as a peer supporter, but I’ll never stop being an advocate,” Jennifer said. “I’ve made a name for myself in the trans, mental health, and recovery spaces.”

Jennifer won a Donald R Hallman LGBTQ Veterans Recognition Award for their advocacy work. They also plan to become a mentor for future military Coding Bootcamp students.

“My Code Platoon mentor was a trans Veteran, and she was an incredible resource. I want to support other trans Veteran’s journey to tech someday, as she did for me.

“I highly recommend any trans Veterans connect with a trans mentor. The support you can gain from someone with similar lived experience is unmatched.”

Jennifer also advises trans Servicemembers to serve openly in the military if they’re able.

“If I could have been myself while I served, I probably would have stayed in the military for the long haul,” Jennifer said. “You can be trans in the military now, so take advantage of the opportunity if the military is what you want to do.” 

“Now I’m accomplishing all of my life’s goals. I married an incredible husband. I bought a house two years ago and will adopt my first baby soon. My accomplishments are profound because of everything I’ve overcome. I have the happiness I could only dream of ten years ago. I can’t even express how amazing my life is now.”

Kayla Elkin is the Marketing Content Specialist at Code Platoon. In this role, she utilizes her marketing, writing, and editing skills developed from previous positions in higher education and educational technology. Kayla has degrees in English and Sociology from Clemson University and completed the Study in India Program (SIP) at the University of Hyderabad. She lives with her partner in northern Chicago.