As we recognize veterans this November 11, we’re highlighting an organization investing in the military community through technical learning: MilSpouse Coders.
Its mission centers on helping military spouses pursue fulfilling careers in technology. Military life can interrupt a spouse’s career through moves and changing circumstances. Access to people who can teach, share resources, and help someone keep learning matters through those transitions.
That community approach should sound familiar to anyone who has learned alongside other GRC practitioners. Sometimes the most useful thing somebody can offer is a place to ask a question, work through a problem, and come back with something to show.
A Place to Learn and Share What You Know
MilSpouse Coders describes its Coffee & Code gatherings as informal opportunities to work together, exchange feedback, and support one another. Its workshops introduce programming languages and technical skills. The organization’s events welcome people regardless of gender or skill level, including military spouses, active-duty service members, veterans, and military families interested in coding.
You don’t have to arrive as an experienced developer. The organization also links to a Facebook study group through its homepage, giving interested learners another place to begin exploring the community.
A Connection to Our GRC Community
Some Atlanta and Augusta members will remember Danielle Koppel introducing MilSpouse Coders during our joint Intro to GRC Engineering session. We covered that conversation in Sometimes the System Needs a Better Trash Can.
Her talk connected better technical systems with the people who build and use them. That connection matters here, too. Learning to code can give a practitioner more ways to investigate a problem, improve a process, or build a useful tool. Having people to learn alongside can make it easier to keep going when the work gets confusing.
Put Your Skills to Use
If you’re military-connected and interested in technology, explore MilSpouse Coders’ resources and reach out about ways to participate.
If you already have experience, consider what you could share. Its volunteer page describes opportunities in education, chapter leadership, marketing, and other support. Coding experience isn’t required for every volunteer contribution. Teaching a foundational concept, helping organize a gathering, or making useful resources easier to find can all support the work.
A Club Membership Discount for Military Families
The GRC Engineering Club offers military membership for $35 for the first year, half the regular $70 annual rate. Spouses of serving members and veterans qualify too. Membership renews at $70 a year and includes the same certifications, labs, and community access as full-price membership. Military spouses can email hello@grcengclub.com to request a code; the offer page explains verification.
Paid Club membership is optional. Atlanta chapter participation remains free.
This Veterans Day, we thank those who have served and invite our community to learn about an organization supporting military spouses and military-connected learners.
Get to know MilSpouse Coders, share it with someone who could use the connection, or offer a skill that could help someone else move forward.