A 3-month course designed to train Soldiers in cloud computing and automation, addressing the Army's need for expertise in commercial cloud solutions and application orchestration. The curriculum includes hands-on experience with Linux, cloud platforms, Docker containers, Ansible, Terraform, Kubernetes, Rancher/Harvester, coupled with interactions with DoD and Industry partners. By the end, students will have foundational knowledge in deploying containerized workloads/services onto cloud and on-prem infrastructure using automation.
Instructor: Protocol Commander
This module introduces the core principles of DevOps, DevSecOps, Site Reliability Engineering (SRE), and Platform Engineering, while building foundational Linux skills and computer basics. Students will gain hands-on experience with file systems, scripting, and command-line tools—establishing a solid base for advanced automation and cloud computing tasks.
This module equips junior DevOps administrators with practical skills in Git and GitHub—essential tools for modern version control, collaboration, and project management. Through hands-on learning, students will create workflows, manage code effectively, and enhance team collaboration using industry-standard practices.
This module introduces foundational networking concepts, emphasizing core principles and terminology relevant to DevOps and IT environments. Students will explore the basics of network architecture, common devices and protocols, and the function of hypervisors in virtualized networks.
Introduction to Google Cloud Platform, covering core services, compute options, storage solutions, and networking fundamentals. Students will gain hands-on experience with GCP console and CLI while learning cloud architecture best practices.
This module guides students from the fundamentals of containerization to the practical deployment of applications using Docker and Docker Compose. Students will explore Docker essentials, containerized application design, orchestration with Docker Compose, and cloud deployment strategies. The module culminates in a hands-on project where students deploy a multi-container application.
Introduction to AI-assisted development and prompt engineering for DevOps workflows. Learn to leverage AI tools effectively for code generation, documentation, troubleshooting, and automation tasks. Understand the principles of effective prompting and AI integration in technical environments.
This module introduces the principles of orchestration and container management, focusing on Kubernetes and supporting platforms such as Rancher. Students begin with guided, hands-on Kubernetes training, then transition to an independent project where they build and manage their own k3s clusters.
This module introduces students to Ansible, a powerful open-source tool for configuration management and automation. Students will progress from foundational concepts to advanced applications—learning to write playbooks, manage infrastructure, and automate Docker container deployments.
This module introduces students to foundational and technical cloud computing concepts, focusing on multi-cloud architecture and a deep dive into AWS. Students will learn core service models, deployment strategies, and security principles, followed by hands-on experience building scalable, cost-effective applications.
This module dives deep into Terraform, emphasizing its power and flexibility in automating the provisioning of infrastructure across various cloud environments. Students will learn to manage complex cloud infrastructures efficiently with integration of Terraform with Ansible for end-to-end automation.
This module introduces students to Microsoft Azure through foundational and intermediate-level training. Students will explore platform capabilities across compute, storage, networking, and identity. Using the Azure Portal and CLI, students will create and manage resources such as virtual machines, storage accounts, and web apps.
This module serves as a fast-paced introduction to Agile methodology and its application in project management. Students will explore Agile principles, values, and frameworks such as Scrum and Kanban while gaining hands-on exposure to tools like Trello and GitHub for managing backlogs, user stories, and sprints.
This capstone module challenges students to integrate the full range of Platform Engineering and SRE concepts explored throughout the course. Divided into two teams, students will progress through three phases—Plan, Deploy, and Integrate—to architect and implement a hybrid cloud environment that spans on-prem and cloud resources.