Coding Training for Veterans

Unlock the potential of learning to code with a professional skills training program, paving your path to becoming a Software Developer, Engineer, or Programmer, among other roles. Veterans and their families can take advantage of various entitlements and benefits to learn this highly in-demand skill, boosting their career prospects in various fields ranging from tech to finance, medicine, and marketing.

The programs below have all been approved for the training of veterans and other eligible persons using the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33), the Veteran Readiness and Employment Program (Chapter 31), and the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35).

Noble Desktop Coding and Web Development Training Courses Approved by the VA: Data Science Certificate, Full-Stack Web Development Certificate,  Software Engineering Certificate, Python Developer Certificate, JavaScript Development Certificate, Data Analytics Certificate

Key Insights

Upon completing their vital service to our country, many veterans may find it tricky to transition into a rewarding, high-earning civilian career. After all, learning combat techniques and other essential skills doesn’t easily translate into many job types after finishing their service. Thankfully, veterans can unlock their full potential by learning to code with a professional skills training program that will pave their way toward jumping into an exciting, rewarding career. 

For example, coding classes can help a veteran transition towards a career as a Software Developer, Engineer, or Programmer, among many other fascinating roles. To reach this goal, veterans and their families should utilize various entitlements and benefits to learn this highly in-demand skill. Doing so will significantly boost their career prospects in fields ranging from tech to finance, medicine, and marketing and make their civilian life a little easier to enjoy.

Veterans serious about learning coding should read on to understand why it’s such a wise choice. They’ll also learn about various programs that can help them master coding quickly. The training classes below have all been approved for veterans and other eligible persons using the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33), the Veteran Readiness and Employment Program (Chapter 31), and the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35).

Important Coding Key Insights for Veterans to Consider

Former military personnel looking to enter the civilian workplace after completing their service duty may wonder why learning coding is such a great idea. After all, there are many potential fields that skilled and intelligent veterans could join to make good money. While a later section will discuss the benefits of learning coding in more depth, it’s good for curious readers to look through the list below to get a quick idea of why mastering this skill set is so brilliant.

Very Highly Sought

Coding is a versatile, highly in-demand skill in today's job market, with potential applications in far more industries than it might seem (more on this point later). That highly sought nature makes these positions pretty high-earning, often well into six figures. Even better, they often tap into skills learned in the military, such as teamwork, tech-related abilities, and other concepts.

Expansive Industry Applications

Coding skills can be applied across a broad range of industries, making it a highly adaptable skill set for veterans transitioning to civilian life. For example, military members interested in software development, web design, video game production, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and even marketing will find coding an essential ability to quickly and efficiently master

Multiple Career Options

Veterans returning to civilian life or members of their families utilizing their educational benefits can easily transition into various careers after completing a coding course. For instance, they can become a Software Developer, a Software Engineer, or a Programmer. It’s also useful for those who want to become web designers, small business owners, and even project managers. 

Easy Financing Options 

Veterans fascinated by coding can use the GI Bill, Forever GI Bill, and VET TEC program to help with part or all of their educational expenses. In this way, they can easily afford to learn this skill without dipping into their savings. In particular, Noble Desktop offers VA-supported programs to help veterans learn coding classes and bootcamps to lead to exciting careers. 

What is Coding? A Quick Guide

Coding is one of the most in-demand skills dominating today’s job market, even with generative AI jumping into the field unexpectedly. While chatbots like ChatGPT can produce some basic code, a skilled and efficient programmer can help to make it great. As a result, many industries and employers need skilled experts who understand complex coding concepts to produce efficient and effective programs. Thankfully, there will always be a need for human experts. 

That’s great, but what exactly does it mean to code or program? In simple terms, coding is the process of using various types of programming languages to create workable products. Throughout their courses, veterans will learn these languages to tell various devices how they should operate. Furthermore, good programmers also understand skills like debugging or identifying errors in their code and techniques for fixing these problems efficiently.

There are several coding languages that are used for different purposes; some of the more common languages include C++, Go, HTML, CSS, Java, Python, and JavaScript. Depending on their career interests, veterans may learn one or more of these tools. For example, Go, or Golang, is known for its easy syntax and powerful applications in data science. By contrast, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript help web developers produce attractive and interactive websites.

Why Is Learning Coding Great for Veterans?

By now, most readers should understand coding a little more deeply and grasp why it might be a great thing to practice. But why should veterans study it specifically and not, say, skills like underwater welding, HVAC repair, and other more hands-on abilities? In this section, interested readers will discover why veterans, in particular, should find coding a rewarding subject to learn. In this way, they should feel comfortable choosing courses that fit their specific needs. 

Surprisingly Easy to Learn 

While it may seem complicated to break into a coding career, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Nowadays, anyone can become a coder and start an entry-level position after taking a coding bootcamp or two. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s an absolute cakewalk to master programming! Veterans still need to study and practice regularly to sharpen their skills. When approached correctly, some skilled learners might need less than a year to feel ready to go.

Complements Military Tech Skills 

There are few industries that rely as heavily on technology as the military. Even front-line soldiers must master complex tools and receive training in multiple tech-heavy fields before setting foot in battle. Furthermore, artillery experts and other soldiers may use the latest and greatest innovations to control their weapons. As a result, coding may be easier for many veterans to master. Some might have even done a little basic coding already in their jobs.

Requires a Strict Approach 

Veterans are used to a guided lifestyle, reinforced from day one of their bootcamp training. They’re used to doing things in specific ways, following guidelines, listening to orders, and reacting quickly to changing situations in precisely defined ways. Well, coding languages follow a similar approach and require a strict approach to get right. In this way, veterans often find programming clicks easily for them, especially if they naturally like well-defined work roles.

Utilizes Logic and Decision-Making Skills 

While coding does use a pretty strict set of guidelines and syntax concepts, it also requires a lot of logic and quick decision-making. After all, coders must use these ideas in novel ways to produce diverse, engaging, and effective programs and software. Thankfully, most veterans are taught logic and decision-making early in their careers. While debugging a line of code isn’t as urgent as making a battlefield decision, it requires a similar set of innate and learned abilities.

May Be Useful for Military Positions

Sometimes, veterans get work contracts with their former military branch or work with related industries after finishing their service. It makes sense because they already know the field so well. Thankfully, veterans looking to work closely with the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or the Coast Guard can use coding skills to find great jobs. Since there’s so much money in the defense budget, these positions may come with high pay rates and excellent benefits.

What Can Veterans Do with Coding Skills? 

Coding is an incredibly versatile field that covers a wide selection of industries, markets, and techniques. These abilities are helpful in both professional and personal ways, particularly for people with creative minds. Veterans who learn it can do fascinating things like producing websites, writing algorithms, and making programs. Here are a few ways that skilled military personnel can utilize coding abilities once they complete their bootcamp training.

Make a Video Game 

Veterans who learn coding could easily turn their military experience into a fun and exciting video game. For example, they could make a simple shooter, a strategy simulator, or other war-related apps. They can make them for their amusement or to produce a portfolio of interesting projects to share when looking for jobs. The possibilities are endless for skilled vets who master the unique complexity of coding in languages like C++, Python, and Java!

Build a Personal Site 

Knowing how to code a personalized site can help veterans in many ways. For example, they can build an online portfolio highlighting their skills in and out of the military. Languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript make this process much easier and enjoyable. Furthermore, they can even use these abilities to create online apps and programs they can give to friends or sell. No matter what their interests, veterans should find some fun ways to use programming skills.

Create an ecommerce Store

Some veterans may come out of service ready to start a new business, such as consulting weapon manufacturers or selling unique products. Learning coding can help them produce an effective and safe ecommerce store where buyers can purchase products and services. These can include military-influenced services or even personalized products, like military-style clothing. In fact, skilled veterans could create and sell artwork online on their ecommerce store.

Are Their Coding Support Options for Veterans?

Several options are available to support veterans trying to launch a new career. These include financial services for higher-education courses and personalized learning from private teams. For example, the GI Bill helps veterans pay for college, graduate school, and training programs. These include multiple GI-approved coding programs that reinforce a learner’s abilities. In fact, qualifying veterans can have part or all of their educational expenses covered with the GI bill.

Furthermore, The Forever GI Bill and VET TEC program can also assist veterans pursuing higher education and vocational training. These include subjects as diverse as Python, JavaScript, and React. What’s great about learning even one of these languages is that they easily transfer to others. So, people who know the relatively simple Python and Golang syntax might find it easier to master more complex ones, such as C++ and Prolog (used for AI).

What Are the GI and Forever GI Bills?

The GI Bill passed in 1944 and was designed to help World War II veterans adjust to civilian life. In the past, it helped establish veteran hospitals, made it easier for veterans to find low-interest mortgages, and created stipends covering tuition and costs related to college or training programs. These days, it’s primarily used for learning and applies in higher education and private training situations. It’s an excellent way for learners to pay for coding courses.

Even better, the Post-9/11 GI Bill boosted the benefits for those who served on or after September 11, 2001, and established that veterans can transfer unused educational benefits to spouses and children. As a result, even if someone who completes their military training isn’t interested in learning programming or other skills, they can use the GI Bill to help their partner or even their children get into coding schools and courses at a relatively reasonable rate.

In 2017, the US signed the Forever GI Bill into law to further expand veterans’ educational benefits. Previously, the GI Bill had a 15-year limitation. The Forever GI Bill removed it while also adding qualifying work-study programs, putting the VetSuccess on Campus vocational rehabilitation program in place for students, removing the expiration date for qualifying work-study activities, and establishing the VET TEC pilot program for interested learners. 

How Does VET TEC Help Veterans?

The Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC) program connects veterans with qualified training providers to help veterans learn high-tech skills. These include courses and schools outside of traditional college environments. It’s designed to help learners from all walks of life find a high-quality course that fits their needs and minimizes potential complications. It’s compatible with the GI and Forever GI bill payment plans.

The VET TEC program covers computer software, programming, data processing, information science, and media applications. As a result, interested veterans from all branches might find a subject that captures their imagination. That said, doing a little research before jumping into a course is vital to ensure veterans get the best experience. Thankfully, Noble Desktop offers multiple veteran-focused financing options to ensure learners don’t pay too much.

What Are the Benefits of Learning Coding?

Veterans and their family members who wish to learn coding get many benefits, such as:

• Expanding Their Skill Set: Veterans will learn many amazing things during their military career but can also develop their skills by taking a coding course! Knowing how to program opens up a whole new world of possibilities, both personally and professionally.
• Breaking Out of Labor-Oriented Work: Some former military personnel may have primarily performed hands-on tasks in their position. While manual labor is a critical part of the economy, learning to code can help veterans find less strenuous work.
• Starting a Development Career: Most veterans will learn to code primarily to launch new careers as software developers, engineers, or programmers. These high-earning fields are very creative and can even transition into management jobs for many people.
• Becoming a Project Manager: Learning to code can also benefit job types beyond tech. For example, veterans who become software project managers may want to understand the programming process better to improve their productivity.
• Getting Into Marketing: The advertising and marketing field is enormous and may need veterans who understand coding skills like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These can help create custom emails, websites, and other essential web development items. 
• Working With Defense Contractors: Often, it’s easy for veterans to transition into defense work due to their connections with former officers. Learning to code can help them transition into high-demand defense coding jobs and projects.
• Finding Remote Work Opportunities: Skilled veteran programmers may choose to work freelance, helping to develop apps, software, and other code-driven solutions for clients. They can also easily work remotely, making it easier to find great gigs.

Why Should Veterans Choose a Coding Skills Bootcamp?

Veterans who want to learn to code quickly may find a bootcamp approach that best suits their needs. After all, they’ve already spent at least four years in the military; they want to get to work quickly and efficiently. Unlike university programs, which include several required general education courses, coding bootcamps only teach programming skills. So, if a vet takes a web development course, they’ll only study HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and design concepts. 

Just as significantly, they cost far less than a college education, which means it isn’t hard to find a class entirely covered by the GI Bill! During their classes, they’ll focus heavily on theoretical concepts alongside practical work to build their portfolio. Most even come with 1-on-1 training opportunities, helping veterans get even more support. Even better, most include remote learning, so veterans who don’t live near big cities can still get the help they need. 

Completing these courses can help veterans find impressive careers in fields like:

• Web development
• Python Programming
• Data Science 
• Data Analytics
• JavaScript
• Software development
• Machine learning
• And more

Just as importantly, these jobs are nowhere near as physically taxing as a career in the military. While all that labor undoubtedly keeps soldiers in great shape, it can become wearisome as they age. By contrast, coding requires no hard physical work. For veterans who may have lingering pain or even movement limitations after their service, coding careers make it easier for them to find a rewarding job and transition into a post-service career with ease and grace. 

Is Coding Hard for Veterans to Learn?

It’s hard to define the difficulty of learning coding for veterans because some people naturally feel comfortable with this skill set while others may struggle. For example, some may have trouble understanding concepts like logic flow or mastering unusual syntax. Others might find it hard to wrap their heads around the abstract nature of coding projects. That said, bootcamps make this process far easier with hands-on education. Indeed, anyone can learn to code!

How Long Will It Take Veterans to Learn Coding?

Many people will feel comfortable with basic programming after a few days in their bootcamp. Others might need a week or more to feel okay handling rudimentary steps, like printing messages. As a result, it’s tricky to gauge how long it might take veterans to learn coding. Those who’ve worked in the tech field while serving may jump in and master it in 3-4 months. Generally, though, it may take a year or longer for most to feel professionally competent.

What Skills Will Veterans Learn in Coding Bootcamps?

During their coding lessons, vets will learn many vital concepts and master various practical skills that will improve their overall experience. These include:

• Basic coding syntax, including how to write essential lines of code 
• Logic, which helps dictate code control smoothly and efficiently
• Data structures and algorithms, such as integers, floats, strings, and booleans
• Text-editing tools to help streamline their programming process
• Database tools that help balance their access to many information types
• Development and testing processes that are common to programming 
• Cloud computing so that veterans can efficiently work together with others
• Various soft skills, such as problem-solving, adaptability, and teamwork

Learn Coding at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop has a robust collection of coding classes and bootcamps designed for people from all walks of life, including veterans. These include in-person classes in Manhattan as well as live online sessions. Vets who live outside of NYC can take remote courses to work live with their skilled professors. An actual coding professional teaches every session, bringing years of experience to each subject and vigorous enthusiasm for teaching programming.

Beyond course quality and teacher excellence, former soldiers receive benefits like small class sizes, 1-on-1 mentoring, a free one-year retake option, the opportunity to interact with fellow students, and much more. With over a dozen certified courses, Noble provides the kind of high-quality experience that all veterans need to take their lives to the next level. All the Noble Desktop programs outlined below are adaptable with the GI Bill, Forever GI Bill, and VET TEC.

Software Engineering Certificate

Software Engineering Certificate is one of Noble’s most extensive courses, requiring six months of full-time attendance. Its $11,000 should be easily covered by the GI Bill, meaning veterans can learn to become software engineers for next to nothing. Subjects covered include HTML, CSS, Flexbox, Grid, Bootstrap, JavaScript, React, Node.js, Python, Django, Flask, and OpenAI. Students can also take electives on some topics, including Python and SQL for databases.

Web Design Certificate 

Web Design Certificate costs about $5,000 and provides six weeks of full-time or five months of part-time education. That’s a great deal because this intensive course will prepare veterans for a rewarding career in web development. Throughout their lessons, they’ll learn tools like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, master working with WordPress, and build responsive websites that look fantastic. Career growth in this field is at 8%, making it a great market to join for serious vets.

Python Developer Certificate 

Python Developer Certificate is a three-week class that requires full-time attendance to complete. Costing just $4,000, it comes with payment plans for veterans that suit their GI Bill financing. During their studies, they’ll learn Python syntax and concepts like Django and Django REST and complete a work portfolio of outstanding projects showcasing their abilities. With 1-on-1 mentoring and high-quality lectures, students will walk away confident with their skills.