Combat to Code School Summary:

My name is Andrew Kroll and I’m a US Army Veteran. I’ll was accepted to attend DigitalCrafts 16 Week Immersive Bootcamp in 2015 to become a software developer. Unfortunately, since this is an Accelerated Learning Program, the tuition is not covered by the GI Bill. Only one coding school in Colorado is allowed to take funds from the GI Bill. The immersive program is a 16-week, full-time, very intensive program, during which time I will be unable to work. At this time, I’d very much appreciate help from anyone who is willing in order to reduce the monetary burden of attending the immersive program.

News Article Featuring the Program and Myself:

Hypepotamus News Article

Full Project Description:

My name is Andrew Kroll and I’m a US Army Veteran. I served in the Army for a total of nearly 7 years. I enlisted shortly after high school as an infantryman, stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas, for 3 years and then left service shortly before 9/11. I joined again a few years after 9/11 and re-classed to a 25U, or a commo guy, to support my country in a time of need. The reason I served almost 7 years is because I was stop-lossed while serving a year in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2008-2009. Additionally, I served in Korea for a year and I was deployed to Iraq with 1-10 Cav, 4th Infantry Division (Scouts Out!) out of Ft. Carson, CO.

As a commo guy in the Army, I deployed, maintained and repaired all manner of sophisticated communications and electronic equipment. I found that I really enjoyed working with technology and I was very good at my job. The reason I want to become a software developer is that it is a very in-demand field right now with a terrific future and it’s something I believe I’d be very good at doing.

During my service, I completed both the Warrior Leader’s Course, graduating in the top 10% of my class, and the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course, or SFAS, at Camp MacKall, NC. I have been awarded, among others, 5 ARCOM’s, 5 AAM’s and the Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star. As an NCO I received the highest possible ratings on 5 out of 6 of my NCO Evaluation Reports.

I’ll be attending DigitalCrafts 16 Week Immersive Bootcamp in October 2015 to become a software developer. DigitalCrafts is an Accelerated Learning Program, or ALP, also referred to as a coding boot camp. Unfortunately, the majority of ALP’s are not eligible to receive funding from the GI Bill at this time, although this is something I hope changes in the future, and many are working to make this happen now. (One key organization spear-heading this effort is OperationCode.org, check them out!)

The immersive program at DigitalCrafts is a 16-week, full-time, very intensive program, during which time I will be unable to work. In addition, I will be relocating to Atlanta in order to attend this school from out of state, incurring all the costs associated with moving, and I am required to purchase an Apple MacBook Pro as well. At this time, I’d very much appreciate help form anyone who is willing in order to reduce the burden of attending the DigitalCrafts immersive program. I’m asking for help with the following expenses:

•Tuition: $10,000 ($11,000 with a $1,000 scholarship)

•MacBook Pro: $1,099

•Moving & Living Expenses: $2,000

DigitalCrafts is an Accelerated Learning Program (more affectionately known as a “code school” or “coding bootcamp”) headquartered in Atlanta, GA.  Their flagship course is a 16 Week Immersive Bootcamp transforming beginners into developers with cutting edge skill sets, polished portfolios, interview training, and on-going career support.

DigitalCrafts supports veterans who have the desire to transition their careers into the world of web and mobile development through scholarships and strategic partnerships. Veterans who are accepted into the DigitalCrafts program receive a $1,000 scholarship for serving their country, and their team has also partnered with several organization including Operation Code and GoFundVeterans to help veterans successfully enroll and graduate from their program.