DRW Honored as Code Platoon's Partner of the Decade for Transformative Impact

DRW Honored as Partner of the Decade by Code Platoon

On June 24, 2026, Code Platoon, a nonprofit coding bootcamp dedicated to aiding Veterans, Servicemembers, and military families in transitioning to tech careers, proudly announced that DRW has been named its Partner of the Decade. This significant recognition, which occurs just once every ten years, acknowledges the immense impact that DRW has made through its enduring support and commitment to Code Platoon since its inception.

Founded in 2016, Code Platoon started with its first cohort of students known as Alpha Platoon, and DRW was there from the very first day. Greg Glover, one of the first graduates and a product of that inaugural cohort, was placed at DRW, embodying the success of the original vision for the program. DRW's involvement played a pivotal role, demonstrating that the partnership was not merely transactional but deeply collaborative.

Over the past decade, DRW has integrated numerous Code Platoon graduates into various teams within the firm. These individuals have made significant contributions across software engineering, data services, and trading infrastructure, establishing themselves as vital components of DRW's operational success. Notably, many of these graduates have evolved into influential roles within the organization, showcasing the growth that the partnership has nurtured.

DRW’s commitment transcends financial investment; the firm's employees have been deeply engaged as mentors, resume coaches, teaching assistants, and workshop leaders. This proactive involvement has provided Code Platoon students invaluable access to real-world insights and skills as they embark on their tech careers in one of Chicago's premier technology firms. DRW's focus on Community Investment is evident in its efforts to enhance education and workforce readiness, particularly aiming to diversify talent in finance and technology. This vision aligns perfectly with that of Code Platoon.

With collaborative efforts, DRW also championed the creation of Code Platoon's AI Cloud and DevOps Engineering program, which has substantially expanded since it was introduced in 2024. DRW's influence wasn't limited to merely hiring graduates from this initiative; they actively contributed to shaping its architecture and offerings.

As Rod Levy, Founder and Executive Director of Code Platoon, aptly expressed, "DRW has been part of Code Platoon's story since the first chapter. From Alpha Platoon in 2016 to the curriculum we're building today, they have shown up as a partner in the fullest sense — hiring our graduates, developing our people, supporting our programs, and staying at the table through every phase of this organization's growth."

This partnership has been impactful not only for Code Platoon but also for the lives of its graduates. For instance, Michael Orland, a former Army Reserve Combat Medic who graduated from Code Platoon in 2021, joined DRW as part of an apprenticeship program and has since advanced to lead development projects as a mid-level engineer. Similarly, Megan Genualdi, a Navy Electronics Technician who completed the program in 2022, started as a software engineering apprentice at DRW and has grown into leadership roles in her projects.

To celebrate this significant milestone, DRW will be officially recognized as Partner of the Decade at the upcoming event, Celebrate Code Platoon 2026, scheduled for September 23, 2026, at City Winery Chicago. The celebration, themed "One Mission. Ten Years," will gather alumni, corporate partners, board members, and supporters to reflect on a decade of impact and raise resources for future initiatives. Tickets for this anticipated event can be purchased via Code Platoon’s website.

In essence, Code Platoon is dedicated to transforming Veterans into professional software engineers through immersive and hands-on educational programs. Since its establishment, Code Platoon has successfully graduated hundreds of individuals with military backgrounds, propelling them into technology careers across the industry. For more details regarding their initiatives, visit www.codeplatoon.org.

In addition, DRW, a diversified trading firm based in Chicago, has decades of experience in marrying innovative technology with exceptional talent in various markets. Trading across a wide range of asset classes, DRW continues to extend its reach into varied non-traditional strategies such as real estate, venture capital, and cryptocurrency. To learn more about DRW's operations, check out drw.com.