Army man finds job at Google to be a hit

Last year, Army Maj. Vince Porter spent Christmas reconnecting with his wife and children after returning from his second yearlong deployment to Iraq in three years.

This holiday is a little different: The Norfolk native and Maury High School alum is in the midst of a one-year fellowship at Google Inc.'s headquarters in Mountain View, Calif.

Porter, 39, is part of an Army program called Training with Industry, which places 75 soldiers in corporate positions each year across the United States. The idea is to expose soldiers to the latest practices in the corporate world for their chosen fields - in Porter's case, public relations - so they can take those lessons back to the military.

A public affairs officer with the 3rd Infantry Division, Porter spent both tours in Iraq working with journalists in Baghdad. During his first stint, from 2007 to 2008, he worked primarily with U.S. reporters. When he went back in December 2009, one of his duties was organizing press conferences for Iraqi and Arab-language news outlets.

At Google, he's part of the technology giant's global communications and public affairs team.

"There are more parallels between Army public affairs and the way Google does PR than I initially expected," Porter said.

And also some key differences. One is the way the two organizations disseminate information. The Army, he said, tends to rely on press releases that must pass through multiple layers of brass for approval before they're sent to news organizations. Google posts information on a corporate blog it knows interested people follow.

"It's a lot more efficient than a press release," Porter said.

Efficiency is a word he uses a lot these days. He's seen firsthand how technical innovations can streamline workflow. One Google application allows people in different locations to view a document simultaneously and provide real-time feedback. That's a lot quicker than waiting for a memo to make its way through a chain of officers.

One of his biggest transitions: getting used to the typical attire at Google, known for its laid-back, creative atmosphere and perks such as massage chairs, yoga classes and pingpong tables. After four years at Virginia Military Institute and 16 years in the Army, Porter finds it odd to head to work in a polo shirt and slacks.

"You don't have to have a three-piece suit on, or even a necktie," he said. "That took some getting used to."

So did the food - but in a good way. Google's headquarters boasts more than 20 cafes offering high-quality menus, with the nutritional information for each dish posted and lots of organic options.

"I'm definitely eating a lot healthier than the typical military dining facility," he said.

The Army pays him his regular salary during the fellowship, which ends in June.

He doesn't yet know what his next post will be. For now, he's content to live in the present, with an easy 1.5-mile commute and evenings and weekends free to spend with his wife, 9-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son.

"How many people can say they had a chance to work at Google for any length of time?" said Porter, whose parents live in Norfolk's Colonial Place neighborhood.

Still, the best part about being at Google isn't his ergonomically designed office chair, the office espresso machine or the massage chair down the hall.

"Most importantly," he said, "I know I can get in my car, drive to my house and have dinner with my family at the end of each day."

Kate Wiltrout, (757) 446-2629, kate.wiltrout@pilotonline.com