Full Program Details
Leaving the military means trading a clear mission for a job market that rarely explains itself. Code Platoon, a Chicago nonprofit, was set up to make that move easier for one group: people who served, and their families. Its main programme turns them into software engineers in 15 to 28 weeks, and most students fund it through VA benefits or a needs-based scholarship.
The 2027 AI + Fullstack Engineering cohorts are now taking applications. The part-time Kilo Platoon starts on 4 January 2027 and closes applications on 15 November 2026. The full-time Falcon Platoon starts on 1 February 2027 and closes on 6 December 2026.
Every accepted student can apply for Code Platoon's Pay-What-You-Can Scholarship, which can cover up to 100% of the $20,000 tuition.
Details at a glance:
- Organizer: Code Platoon, a nonprofit coding school in Chicago
- Programme: AI + Fullstack Engineering
- Evening & Weekend (Kilo Platoon): 28 weeks, 4 January to 17 July 2027, live online. Apply by 15 November 2026.
- Immersive (Falcon Platoon): 15 weeks full-time, 1 February to 14 May 2027, in Chicago or live on Zoom. Apply by 6 December 2026.
- Tuition: $20,000, with a $500 deposit at enrollment
- Funding: Pay-What-You-Can Scholarship (up to 100% of tuition), GI Bill, VR&E or payment plans
- Who can apply: US veterans, active duty servicemembers, military spouses and adult military dependents
What You Will Learn
The course teaches Python and JavaScript, then full web applications from the user interface to the back-end server, with Git and GitHub throughout. The AI part covers adding generative AI to front-end and back-end apps, using AI APIs and libraries for features such as smart search and chatbots, preparing data for AI features, writing and refining prompts, and building AI responsibly.
Tools named in the curriculum include React, Django, Supabase, Vercel, Claude Code, GitHub, AWS, and data structures and algorithms.
Schedules
- Immersive: Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm Central Time, in the Chicago classroom or remotely on Zoom
- Evening & Weekend: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30pm to 9:30pm Central Time, plus Saturdays from 8am to 5pm, live on Zoom
What It Costs
Tuition is $20,000 for all programmes. Code Platoon says most students use VA benefits or its Pay-What-You-Can Scholarship. The scholarship is based on need: if you can pay 10%, or nothing at all, it can cover the rest. For in-person Immersive students using the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Code Platoon says tuition is fully covered and comes with a monthly housing allowance. Choosing a funding source on your application does not guarantee it, so confirm your funding before you enrol.
Who Can Apply
- US military veterans, active duty servicemembers and military spouses. Adult military dependents are named for the Evening & Weekend programme.
- Active duty servicemembers in their final 120 days may use SkillBridge for the Immersive programme.
- You must be at least 18 and hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
- The application asks for a basic understanding of Python or JavaScript. If you are new to code, take Code Platoon's free Intro to Coding LIVE course first; the next one runs from 19 October to 5 November 2026 and needs no experience.
This programme is not open to the general public. If you have no US military connection, look at the Per Scholas AWS re/Start bootcamp or the CMU-Africa AI certificate instead.
How to Apply
- Pick your cohort: Kilo (part-time, apply by 15 November 2026) or Falcon (full-time, apply by 6 December 2026).
- Complete Part One of the application, about 10 to 15 minutes on your background, programme choice and funding.
- Complete Part Two, which takes at least 4 to 12 hours: coding exercises, short answers and a short video.
- Apply for VA benefits at the same time if you plan to use them. VA approval usually takes 2 to 4 weeks.
- Expect a reply within about two weeks, since review is rolling.
- If accepted, sign the enrollment agreement, pay the $500 deposit, apply for the scholarship if you need it, and finish Code Platoon Prep before day one.
GizPulse Verdict
Who this is for: Veterans, servicemembers and military spouses in the US who want a structured, instructor-led route into software engineering, with the cost scaled to what they can afford.
Who should pause: The part-time cohort means about 21 hours of live classes a week for seven months, plus homework, and the Immersive is a full-time job. If you have never written a line of code, do the free intro course before you apply.
One tip to stand out: Part Two is the real test. Start it at least a week before the deadline, and in your short video connect one concrete skill from your service, such as running a team or fixing equipment under pressure, to how you will handle a hard coding problem.
Check cohort dates and apply on the official Code Platoon AI + Fullstack Engineering page.
