When veterans leave the military, they don’t stop serving, they just find new battlefields. For Rob Anders, that battlefield is the American power grid.
After two deployments as an Army infantry officer, Rob now develops utility-scale clean energy projects and teaches at the U.S. Army War College. He’s lived both sides of the national security equation, and in this episode, he lays out exactly why the energy transition is America’s next critical mission.
From leading platoons to building power plants, Rob shares the lessons, the obstacles, and the advice that every transitioning veteran and energy professional should hear.
The Developer Mindset: Why Veterans Thrive in Clean Energy
After Iraq and Afghanistan, Rob didn’t know exactly what was next, but he knew he still had a mission. He zeroed in on the intersection of energy, national security, and leadership, and realized development was the tip of the spear.
“There’s no degree in project development. You’ve got to piece together skills, lead from the front, and figure it out. That’s why veterans do well here.”
From battlefield logistics to stakeholder management, Rob breaks down how veterans bring decision-making under pressure, adaptive leadership, and an appetite for mission-driven work that makes them ideal for this sector.
Energy Is National Security
Rob’s role at EDP Renewables is more than a job. He sees the work as essential to America’s ability to meet the demands of AI, reshoring, and domestic industry, all while building local economic resilience.
We dig into:
The once-in-a-generation power demand spike coming from data centers and electrification
Why renewables aren’t alternative anymore, they’re the mainstream
How permitting battles at the county level have strategic national security implications
“If we don’t build fast enough, we lose the opportunity and those jobs, dollars, and tech leadership go elsewhere.”
Bridging the Local Divide: From Rural Resistance to Buy-In
One of the most grounded parts of this episode is Rob’s take on why local permitting is so hard and how veterans can help bridge that gap.
He shares:
Real stories from Indiana and Texas, where out-of-town opposition groups convinced farmers to pass on wind leases
The missed economic benefits those farmers now regret
How developers can stay engaged after the ribbon cutting to keep telling the good-news story
“When the benefits finally hit… new fire trucks, upgraded schools… it’s often too late. There’s no one there reminding people how it happened.”
Service Doesn’t End at ETS: Rob’s Advice for Veterans
Rob didn’t walk a straight line into clean energy. He went to grad school at Georgetown, joined DOE, stayed in the Guard and Reserve, and now teaches colonels and future generals how to think strategically.
His parting advice to veterans:
Give yourself time to reflect, and be honest about what lights you up
Find a mission field that gives you optionality (he uses a brilliant “roundabout” metaphor here)
Stay connected to the military through the Guard or Reserve, you might be surprised what doors it opens
Most importantly: “Know what to ask for.” People want to help you. But you have to know what to ask.
“If you're unsure about your path, find a place that gives you access to many roads, not just one.”
This episode is packed with insight, experience, and battle-tested wisdom. Whether you're a veteran considering your next mission, or a developer wondering what military leadership brings to the table, this one hits home.
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