Major Goodale commissioned from the University of Virginia, graduating in May 2002 with a Bachelor’s of History and a Master’s of Teaching. Reporting to The Basic School, Second Lieutenant Goodale graduated on the Commandant’s Honor Roll and was assigned to the Infantry Officer Course (IOC).
Following graduation from IOC, Second Lieutenant Goodale was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, in Twentynine Palms, CA, where he assumed duties as Platoon Commander, Company G. In this role, he deployed to OIF II in 2004, participating in the first battle for Fallujah, and acting as the Battalion’s Combined Action Platoon, embedded with the 1st Battalion, 503rd Iraqi National Guard Battalion. Deploying again, to OIF 04-06 in 2005, First Lieutenant Goodale served as the Mobile Assault Company Executive Officer and 2nd Platoon Commander in Fallujah, Iraq.
First Lieutenant Goodale was next assigned to Marine Barracks Washington in 2006. Promoted to Captain, he served successively as Marching Platoon Commander, Executive Officer, Company Commander, and Barracks S-3A (Ceremonies). Captain Goodale was responsible for the planning and execution of more than 1,200 ceremonies during this time, including the Barracks’ involvement in the 2009 inauguration of President Barack H. Obama. Additionally, he served as a White House Social Aide.
In 2009, Captain Goodale attended the Maneuver Career Captain’s Course in Ft. Benning, GA, graduating as the Distinguished Honor Graduate and was subsequently assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, as the Commanding Officer, Company C. Deploying in January 2010, Captain Goodale participated in Operation Unified Response, Haiti, and multiple Security Force Assistance and Building Partner Capacity missions in the Horn of Africa and Middle East.
In 2011, Captain Goodale redeployed during OEF 11-2. Transitioning Company C into an Enhanced Advisor Company, he assumed control of the Nawa Green Zone, with responsibility for more than 30 separate coalition positions. Captain Goodale completed his tour with 1st Battalion, 9th Marines as the Battalion Executive Officer.
In 2013 Captain Goodale was assigned as the Defense Fellow for Vice Chairman Mac Thornberry (TX-13) of the House Armed Services Committee and was promoted to Major. In 2014 he was transferred to Officer Candidates School for assignment as the Academics Officer. He assumed his current duties in September of 2014.
His personal decorations include the Bronze Star, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Gold Star in lieu of second award), Army Commendation Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device (Gold Star) and Combat Action Ribbon (Gold Star).