Analyst at General Electric Wind Energy Division
Army JMO goes from commanding bradleys to harnessing wind power for GE, a G.I. Jobs Top Military-Friendly EmployerSM.
by Warren Duffie
In Corporate America, the word “crisis” takes on many forms: A missed deadline, an angry client or a pessimistic profit-and-loss statement can easily have a harsh effect on one’s psyche.
However, to Joe Goodwin – and numerous other veterans who have seen combat – such obstacles are merely bumps in the road that can be overcome with some planning. 
A former Army captain, Goodwin understands what a real crisis looks like. He commanded Avenger and Bradley Fighting Vehicles in Iraq and knows well the terror of fighting amid whizzing bullets, exploding roadside bombs and dead or wounded comrades.
“War can give you a real perspective on what constitutes a ‘life or death’ issue,” says Goodwin, 28. “In a professional crisis, you can maintain your cool and rationally analyze the situation. That’s why employers love military veterans – we know how to coolly assess chaos.”
Sharpened by his battle experiences, Goodwin last year brought his command skills to General Electric — participating in the company’s famous training program geared toward junior military officers.
On the Job
Goodwin works as an analyst in General Electric’s Wind Energy Division. His primary duties involve collaborating with fellow employees in his upstate New York office or in the field, to study all aspects of the company’s wind business. Goodwin’s days brim with spreadsheets, reports, and Powerpoint presentations on sales, the number of wind units being built, and how much power they produce.
“I pull all of this data together and pass it on to key executives and other company leaders,” he says. “This affects decisions on the division’s current and future operations. I also have several projects requiring me to improve processes. Corporate America loves veterans because we’ve dealt with military processes, which tend to be very good.”
Goodwin arrives at work at 7:45 a.m. At 8, he begins responding to e-mails and phone calls and spends most of his day meeting with colleagues and performing various assigned tasks. He leaves for home around 6 p.m. and sometimes works late into the night.
“One thing I enjoy about working at GE is the camaraderie,” Goodwin says. “It’s much like the military’s, and there are many outstanding people who help me get my job done each day.”
On the Hunt for Junior Military Officers
Perhaps no company in Corporate America values military veterans like General Electric. It’s one of the world’s largest firms — boasting annual revenues of $150 billion and 300,000 employees in 100 countries. More than 6,000 of these employees are veterans, and General Electric hires about 400 retired military personnel each year. Named “America’s Most Admired Company” by Fortune magazine, the corporate juggernaut is also a G.I. Jobs “Top Ten Military-Friendly EmployerSM.”
To find the best military talent, General Electric sends veteran employees to several bases yearly to tout the company’s incentives and perks — a counselor during your move, family and employee assistance regarding issues such as daycare and placing your children in school, and educational sessions to train veterans about its products.
But perhaps General Electric’s main attraction to military personnel is its Junior Officer Leadership Program (JOLP), of which Goodwin is a part. This initiative allows former junior military officers to serve three eight-month rotations in different departments of the company’s energy division. One rotation might place you in sales while another assigns you to a manufacturing plant. JOLP comprises both on-the-job and classroom training.
“The corporate world really wants junior officers,” says Goodwin, who is in his second rotation. “At your age, you have so much command and leadership experience that can translate into civilian success.”JOLP allows you to learn so much about various parts of GE’s business. It’s a tremendous education.”
The Transition
A native of Concord, Mass., Goodwin graduated from Harvard University in 2001 with a degree in politics. Planning to move to Washington, D.C., to work at a political consulting firm, he — like all of America — was stunned by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Within a few days, he signed an enlistment contract with the Army to attend Officer Candidate School (OCS).
After basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., Goodwin attended OCS, as well as a subsequent officer basic course, at Fort Benning, Ga. By April 2003, he was on his way to Baghdad as a platoon leader with the 1st Armored Division.
Though hesitant to discuss his war experiences, he did say: “It was the most profound experience of my life to be in mortal peril. Those were some very interesting days.”
After a year in combat, Goodwin was assigned as an aide-de-camp to the assistant divisional commander of the 1st Armored Division in Iraq. His job entailed traveling with the general and arranging his schedule and press interviews.
“I was basically a high-level executive assistant,” Goodwin says. “I got to see how powerful leaders operate and manage their time. It was a great experience.”
In December 2005, Goodwin returned to the U.S. and began preparing for his separation. Along with attending ACAP and résumé-writing classes, he networked with friends. Several of his friends spoke very highly of their experiences working for GE and the company’s leadership program stood out.
“I knew I’d only be making a bit more than an Army captain, but I wanted a job that would let me make my mark,” he says.
Goodwin sent his résumé to a GE human resource rep was directed to apply online at www.gecareers.com to start his new journey. The rest, as they say, is history.
Goodwin’s Advice
Don’t feel rushed to find a job. “Start early and take your time. You want to make sure you like the job and the company. Also, take some time to unwind after separating.”
Go on practice interviews. “Even for those jobs you don’t want. That way, you’ll gain valuable experience and can anticipate questions and situations.”
Research the company and industry. “This will allow you to see what kinds of career paths are available and the best road to success.”