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> There's nothing stopping these veterans from going to a regular university, college, or community college and getting a real degree in computer science, softw

> There's nothing stopping these veterans from going to a regular university, college, or community college and getting a real degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. Nothing? Have a little empathy, buddy. While I have some sympathy for your opinion of coding bootcamps, just bear in mind that it's not easy giving up something you've been doing for a couple of decades and going back to college with people half you age and then having to restart your career in an entirely new profession. The mental flexibility one has when one is young just isn't there anymore for these individuals.

jlarocco 9y ago
Okay, I phrased it too strongly, but that doesn't change my point. They'd have exactly the same problem with any other profession that requires a degree, and lowering standards isn't the answer.
- drawnwren 9y ago
  Hey, I'm a vet who went back first to a coding bootcamp and then to a CC before 'real' university. The hardest part for me (especially because I feel like I'm a pretty ok programmer) was being willing to do the very basic Freshman/Sophomore material. Also, humanities. I really wish there was an option to just take Math and CS. I imagine this is what was originally imagined with Associates degrees. I was extremely lucky because I already enjoyed math and coding on my own. How much Trig do you remember? I'm not trying to be a smart ass, but for a vet who has a lot of real world experience - going back to high school math can be a real challenge in unexpected ways.
nradov 9y ago
Citation needed. Where is your proof that mental flexibility is inversely correlated with age?
- Tenobrus 9y ago
  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278262606000431 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278262606... Let me know if you can't access the full article/the abstract is not enough.

jlarocco 9y ago

Okay, I phrased it too strongly, but that doesn't change my point. They'd have exactly the same problem with any other profession that requires a degree, and lowering standards isn't the answer.

drawnwren 9y ago
Hey, I'm a vet who went back first to a coding bootcamp and then to a CC before 'real' university. The hardest part for me (especially because I feel like I'm a pretty ok programmer) was being willing to do the very basic Freshman/Sophomore material. Also, humanities. I really wish there was an option to just take Math and CS. I imagine this is what was originally imagined with Associates degrees. I was extremely lucky because I already enjoyed math and coding on my own. How much Trig do you remember? I'm not trying to be a smart ass, but for a vet who has a lot of real world experience - going back to high school math can be a real challenge in unexpected ways.

nradov 9y ago

Citation needed. Where is your proof that mental flexibility is inversely correlated with age?

Tenobrus 9y ago
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278262606000431 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278262606... Let me know if you can't access the full article/the abstract is not enough.