Striker Airmen Coder program builds Command’s future

By Sean Green | STRIKEWERX Marketing and Communication Director

BOSSIER CITY, La. — The Striker Airmen Coder program is giving Airmen real-world experience in coding and app development.

AFGSC developed the SAC program as an effort to develop Air Force coders who can create innovative and efficient technical solutions in their local units.

Six Airmen and three students developed three separate projects. These projects are Microm, a commercial calendar for the military; Paladin, an IT asset tracking tool; and MyDorms, a dorm management system.

“These aren’t Airmen who code for their daily job.  It’s a new skill set that they are pursuing in support of the Command’s future,” said Glen Govender, SAC project lead for AFGSC Office of the Chief Scientist. “Our Striker Airmen are the best of the best, and their success demonstrates their adaptability and dedication to mission success.” 

Prior to the SAC program, applicants were whittled down through an aptitude test before undergoing a coding boot camp for three months. They have spent the past three months working with college students from Louisiana Tech University and Bossier Parish Community College and a local industry partner, Ruby Shore Software, to develop solutions to AFGSC software needs.

This year, AFGSC opened the SAC program to local higher education institutions to allow undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to gain real world experience in web and mobile app development.

The program is administered by the Cyber Innovation Center through a Partnership Intermediary Agreement with AFGSC.

“Airmen and students gain invaluable experience collaborating with a military institution, develop unique problem-solving software products, learn insightful methodologies and technologies, and network with potential future employers, among other benefits,” said Lauren Wheless, SAC program manager.

The teams demoed their projects Dec. 6 during a special capstone event held for AFGSC staff and the Office of the Chief Scientist.

The projects will now be analyzed by AFGSC for future scalability and further development.