In this episode, Maria Mendez Reed, a Military spouse, TV Director, and Nonprofit CEO, joins Code Platoon and our host, Rich Luby, to share her insights on stepping into action as a Military spouse. Drawing from her own experiences, Maria talks about the importance of pursuing your own dreams all while supporting your partner in service, and how to make the most of the resources available to military families.

In a world that’s changing every day, military spouses can’t afford to keep waiting for the “perfect time” to start chasing their goals. From launching a career to starting a business or pursuing a passion, Maria’s story proves that it’s possible to continue down your own path all while navigating a military life. She shows how the determination, adaptability, and resilience developed in military families can be powerful tools for personal and professional success.

Join us as we continue to highlight these inspiring stories, share insights from industry experts, and provide clear, actionable advice for military families looking to take that first step. Whether you’re a Military spouse, Veteran, or someone passionate about personal growth, Service to Software is your gateway to understanding the opportunities available to those connected to the military community.

To learn more about Maria and her work visit - https://movingwiththemilitary.tv/

To learn more about Code Platoon and its opportunites visit - https://www.codeplatoon.org/

In this episode, Zach Blackburn, a Software Engineer at Affirm and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, joins Code Platoon and our host, Rich Luby, to share his insights on the transition from a life in service to a life in tech. Zach, a former Code Platoon student, now a Software Engineer L5 at Affirm talks about the importance of apprenticeship programs and the windows of opportunities it opens as well as the obstacles he faced along his path and how he overcame each of them along the way.

In a fast-changing world, the tech industry is seeing an unprecedented growth in opportunities. From AI to Data Science to Software Engineering, Veterans and Military families are finding new ways to apply their skills, discipline, and problem-solving abilities to build successful careers in technology. Zach’s story shows how non-traditional backgrounds can bring valuable perspectives to tech teams, and how programs like Code Platoon can help bridge the gap between military service and the civilian workforce.

Join us as we continue to highlight these inspiring stories, share insights from industry experts, and provide clear, informational advice on making the transition into tech. Whether you’re a Veteran, Military dependent, or simply someone passionate about technology and looking for your next challenge, Service to Software is your gateway to understanding the impact of military experience in the tech world.

To learn more about Code Platoon and its programs visit - https://www.codeplatoon.org/full-stack/apprenticeships/