Building Your Foundation
Code Platoon Prep
Code Platoon Prep helps you build the core skills and confidence you need to start your cohort ready and prepared.
Code Platoon Prep: Building Your Foundation for Day One
As you move toward the start of your cohort, Code Platoon Prep is where you get ready for Day One.
It’s designed to help you build the foundation you’ll rely on throughout the program—so the pace, tools, and expectations feel familiar instead of overwhelming. Whether the material feels new, familiar, or somewhere in between, CP Prep ensures everyone enters the classroom with a shared starting point.
This isn’t just preparation—it’s the first step in learning how to think and work like a developer.
How the Course Works
Each lesson combines short instructional videos with hands-on practice. You’ll complete coding exercises directly in the course using our built-in code editor, working in both Python and JavaScript.
Even if a topic feels familiar, it’s important to work through the exercises. The goal isn’t just exposure—it’s building the habits and patterns you’ll rely on throughout the program.
Some parts of the course—especially early on—may feel challenging. That’s expected. You’re not meant to master everything immediately. The focus is on building consistency and learning how to approach problems step by step.
Time & Pace
Code Platoon Prep takes approximately 18–20 hours to complete.
Most lessons take around 45 minutes, and you can move through them at a pace that fits your schedule. That said, the best approach is to start early and work through the material consistently over several weeks.
Students who pace their progress tend to feel more confident and prepared going into Day One. Waiting until the last minute often makes the experience more stressful than it needs to be.
It’s designed to help you build the foundation you’ll rely on throughout the program—so the pace, tools, and expectations feel familiar instead of overwhelming. Whether the material feels new, familiar, or somewhere in between, CP Prep ensures everyone enters the classroom with a shared starting point.
This isn’t just preparation—it’s the first step in learning how to think and work like a developer.
How the Course Works
Each lesson combines short instructional videos with hands-on practice. You’ll complete coding exercises directly in the course using our built-in code editor, working in both Python and JavaScript.
Even if a topic feels familiar, it’s important to work through the exercises. The goal isn’t just exposure—it’s building the habits and patterns you’ll rely on throughout the program.
Some parts of the course—especially early on—may feel challenging. That’s expected. You’re not meant to master everything immediately. The focus is on building consistency and learning how to approach problems step by step.
Time & Pace
Code Platoon Prep takes approximately 18–20 hours to complete.
Most lessons take around 45 minutes, and you can move through them at a pace that fits your schedule. That said, the best approach is to start early and work through the material consistently over several weeks.
Students who pace their progress tend to feel more confident and prepared going into Day One. Waiting until the last minute often makes the experience more stressful than it needs to be.
Checking Your Readiness
At the end of CP Prep, you’ll complete a final assessment to confirm you’re ready to begin the program.
To move forward into your cohort, you must:
You can retake the assessment as many times as needed. Each attempt helps you identify where to focus and strengthen your understanding.
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s making sure you’re prepared to keep up, contribute, and succeed once the program begins.
To move forward into your cohort, you must:
- Complete the required exercises throughout the course
- Earn a 70% or higher on the final assessment
- Finish by 11:59 PM on the Tuesday before your cohort starts
You can retake the assessment as many times as needed. Each attempt helps you identify where to focus and strengthen your understanding.
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s making sure you’re prepared to keep up, contribute, and succeed once the program begins.
Looking Ahead
By the time your cohort starts, you’ll have:
This preparation helps you enter the program with confidence and a clearer understanding of what to expect.
Progress and consistency matter more than getting everything right the first time. Every step you take in CP Prep moves you closer to being ready for Day One.
- Built familiarity with core programming concepts
- Practiced working through problems step by step
- Developed a stronger sense of how to approach coding challenges
This preparation helps you enter the program with confidence and a clearer understanding of what to expect.
Progress and consistency matter more than getting everything right the first time. Every step you take in CP Prep moves you closer to being ready for Day One.
What You Will Learn
Meet Your Instructor
Francisco Avila
Program Director and AI+Fullstack Engineering Instructor
Question About Enrolling?
We know getting enrolled and ready for your Code Platoon cohort can feel like a lot—no worries, you’re not in it alone. We’re here to guide you every step of the way, right up to your first day in class.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our enrollment team at enrollment@codeplatoon.org. We’ve got you covered.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our enrollment team at enrollment@codeplatoon.org. We’ve got you covered.
Code Platoon is a nonprofit organization that transforms Veterans, active duty Servicemembers, Reservists, National Guardsmen, and military dependents into technology professionals through an immersive, hands-on, educational process and dedicated Career Services support.