Vets Who Code

Announcing big updates on Vets Who Code in our State of the Union Address! Get ready for an inspiring look at how we’re changing lives, one line of code at a time! 🚀

🌟 Breaking Boundaries at MIC 2024: A Reflection from Vets Who Code 🌟 From September 30 to October 3, 2024, the Military Influencer Conference (MIC) in Atlanta brought together the best and brightest from the military community. It wasn’t just another conference—it was a transformative moment for veterans, military spouses, and innovators alike. Jerome Hardaway, Executive Director of Vets Who Code, attended MIC 2024 and shared his powerful reflections on the experience. In his words, the event was a “wake-up call” that highlighted the importance of inclusion and innovation in addressing critical challenges faced by veterans. From groundbreaking discussions on AI-driven solutions to the inspiring diversity in the room—this event showed the potential of what our community can achieve together. But the work doesn’t stop here. In 2025, Vets Who Code is committed to taking action with a goal of sponsoring 10 veterans to attend MIC 2025 with Jerome, ensuring even more voices are included in these important conversations. 📖 Read Jerome’s full reflections on MIC 2024 and its impact here: https://lnkd.in/eS5JZkKe 📩 Is your organization ready to help make this possible? Let’s partner to sponsor veterans for MIC 2025 and drive meaningful change. #VetsWhoCode #MIC2024 #VeteransInTech #InclusionAndInnovation #AIForGood

🚀 Introducing SpotRep: Vets Who Code’s Synthetic Content Revolution for 2025 We’ve always believed in pushing boundaries to create impactful content that serves our community of veterans and supporters. That’s why we’re thrilled to unveil SpotRep—our brand-new bite-sized synthetic podcast series. Why synthetic content? 🤔 Our goal is to make learning about Vets Who Code accessible and engaging for everyone—whether you’re commuting, between meetings, or just looking for a quick dose of inspiration. Synthetic content lets us deliver high-quality, fast-paced, and concise storytelling, making our message as impactful as possible. Inspired by the team at Every Inc. , we’ve embraced this approach to present key aspects of our mission in 5 minutes or less—perfect for those who value substance without sacrificing time. 🌟 SpotRep Episode 1 Highlights: In our first episode, we dive into the heart of Vets Who Code: 🎤 The inspiring story of Jerome Hardaway, our founder, who turned his Air Force training and coding skills into a life-changing nonprofit. 🎤 94% job placement rate within 12 months, with an average starting salary of $85,000. How we’re breaking barriers and empowering veterans to thrive in the tech industry. 🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/dxYQAzcU 🔥 What’s Next? Episode 2: The Secret Sauce of Our Curriculum – Discover the tech skills and methodologies we teach to help veterans thrive in the job market. Episode 3: Community: The Power Behind Vets Who Code – Unpacking the incredible support network that drives our success. We’re just getting started, and we want to hear from YOU! 🗣️ What would you like to learn about Vets Who Code in upcoming SpotRep episodes? Share your thoughts in the comments or message us directly. Together, let’s make 2025 a year of innovation, impact, and inclusion. 💻🎙️ #VetsWhoCode #SpotRep #SyntheticContent #VeteransInTech #TechForGood

🎆 Welcome, 2025! 🎆 As we enter a new year, it's the perfect time to reflect on our journey and set bold intentions for the road ahead. At Vets Who Code, 2024 was all about solving problems, building software, and empowering veterans to thrive in tech careers. This year, we’re not just making resolutions—we’re writing the next chapter in code. 🖥️💡 Here’s our 2025 mission: 🚀 Equip veterans with cutting-edge software engineering skills to build solutions that matter. 💻 Create a community where grit and collaboration drive innovation. 🌍 Show the world how veterans excel in solving complex challenges, one line of code at a time. To our veterans and military spouses: You’ve already mastered discipline, adaptability, and teamwork. Software engineering is your next mission, and we’re here to help you succeed. To our supporters: Your belief in our mission is the foundation of everything we achieve. Together, we’re bridging the gap between military service and thriving tech careers. Let’s make 2025 a year of innovation, collaboration, and impact. 💡 What’s one challenge you’re excited to tackle in 2025? Share your goals, and let’s inspire one another to keep pushing boundaries. 🌟 #NewYear2025 #VetsWhoCode #SoftwareEngineering #VeteransInTech #MissionDrivenCode

🎉 End 2024 on a High Note! 🎉 Don’t wait for 2025 to level up—start now! Join Jerome at the builtfor.dev livestream on Dec 30 at 12:00 PM CST for a fireside chat on "Using AI as a Dev Tool to Accelerate Writing Production-Quality Code." 💻 What you’ll learn: + How to use AI tools to speed up code production. + Practical tips to improve code quality. + Actionable insights you can apply in 2025 and beyond. 📍 When: December 30, 12:00 PM CST 📍 Where: Online 📍 Hosted by: Built for Devs Hub 💡 Don’t wait for the new year to start building your edge—gain knowledge now! 🔗 Save your spot here: https://lnkd.in/e4g3Ywkj #AI #DeveloperTools #LearnBefore2025 #EndOfYearLearning #BuiltForDevsHub

🚀 Wrapping Up 2024 with Gratitude and Big Plans Ahead! 🎉 As 2024 comes to a close, we’re thrilled to share this heartfelt year-end message from our Geek at Arms, Jerome Hardaway. This year has been monumental for Vets Who Code: ✅ Transitioning from Learning to Doing – Our troops are now polishing their portfolios and projects, gearing up for real-world success in tech. ✅ Closing in on Our Fundraising Goal – We’re just $100 away from achieving this year’s target. Every contribution counts! (Can you be the closer? https://lnkd.in/dQqrCDv ) ✅ Looking Ahead to 2025 – Expect impactful content and more stories that highlight the incredible journeys of veterans breaking into tech. We couldn’t have done it without the unwavering support of our community. Thank you for believing in our mission to empower veterans with tech skills. 💪 🎥 Watch Jerome’s full update here: https://lnkd.in/esFChMFr Let’s finish the year strong and step into 2025 ready to build, learn, and grow together! 🌟 #VeteransInTech #VetsWhoCode #YearEndUpdate #TechCareers #CommunityImpact

🎄✨ Happy Holidays from Vets Who Code! ✨🎄 As we wrap up 2024, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the diverse traditions and the incredible community that make Vets Who Code so special. This season, whether you’re celebrating Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, the Winter Solstice, or simply enjoying time with loved ones, we’re reminded of the power of connection, learning, and growth—values that are at the heart of our mission to empower veterans through software engineering and development. This year, together, we’ve: 💻 Empowered veterans to transition into careers as software engineers and developers. 🌟 Welcomed our newest cohort in September, diving into an updated curriculum that goes beyond coding skills—teaching veterans to think like engineers and preparing them to excel in the competitive job market. 🤝 Built a global network of learners, leaders, and innovators in tech. To those who celebrate, we wish you a season filled with joy, hope, and peace. And to everyone in our community, thank you for supporting our mission and driving the success of veterans as they build brighter futures in the tech industry. Here’s to coding a more impactful and innovative 2025—together! #VetsWhoCode #HappyHolidays #SoftwareEngineering #VeteransInTech #SeasonOfGiving

We couldn’t agree more with Jerome’s reflections as we close out the year. Vets Who Code is built on the belief that every veteran deserves a chance to channel their discipline, resilience, and problem-solving skills into meaningful careers in tech. This mission is made possible by the incredible support of single-person donors and the loyal community of HashFlag Nation. 💪 Your dedication empowers veterans to unlock new opportunities, find hope, and build futures filled with purpose—one line of code at a time. Thank you for standing with us and for believing in the power of transformation. Let’s continue to make a difference together in the year ahead. #GratitudeSeries #VetsWhoCode #HashFlagNation

🚨 We’re $1,500 away from empowering their next mission in software development! 🚀 This year, we’ve seen incredible stories unfold—like Josh Morton’s journey from combat boots to code. After serving in the Army, Josh faced the challenge of returning to a rapidly evolving tech world. Thanks to Vets Who Code, he honed his skills, rebuilt his confidence, and is now thriving as a Staff Software Engineer at Jump. 💡 This is the impact of your support. Every dollar raised powers the tools, resources, and community that help veterans transition into fulfilling software engineering careers. But we can’t do it alone. Here’s how YOU can help us close the gap: 👉 Donate directly: vetswhocode.io/donate 👉 Shop merch: hashflag.shop (100% of proceeds support Vets Who Code!) 💻 Every share, every dollar, every purchase moves us closer to hitting our goal and empowering veterans to tackle their next mission. Let’s hit this milestone together and make a difference for those who’ve served. 💪 #EmpowerTheirNextMission #VetsWhoCode #VeteransInTech #SupportOurTroops

🚀 Progress Update: Mastering Client vs. Server Components in React This week, our cohort is diving deep into the art of efficient web application development with React’s Client and Server Components. They’re not just writing code—they’re mastering the decision-making behind building robust, user-friendly web experiences. Here’s what they’re learning: 🌐 The Power of Server Components 👉 SEO Boost: Fully rendered content for better search engine visibility. 👉 Faster Performance: Reduced Time to First Byte (TTFB) and First Contentful Paint (FCP). 👉 Enhanced Security: Sensitive data stays on the server, and API keys are never exposed. 🎨 When to Choose Client Components 👉 Interactivity: Real-time updates, animations, and dynamic state management. 👉 Smooth User Experiences: No page refreshes and app-like interactions for a polished feel. 🛠️ The Hybrid Approach As our cohort learns, the key is blending these components effectively—like using Server Components for SEO-critical pages and Client Components for dashboards or highly interactive features. 💡 Real-World Insight: Jerome emphasizes that it’s not just about learning technologies—it’s about thinking critically and strategically. Each choice in tech should align with the end goal of delivering a great user experience. 🔑 Applications for the March 2025 cohort are open! Start your journey toward becoming a full-stack developer with a mindset built for problem-solving. [📥 Apply Now – https://lnkd.in/em_PENqZ ] #VetsWhoCode #React #WebDevelopment #VeteransInTech #TechTraining #CodingSkills #CriticalThinking #FullStackDevelopment