William Goetz enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania's Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (UPENN NROTC) in the summer of 2003. He concurrently enrolled in Temple University's undergraduate program. In the summer of 2006, Midshipman Goetz attended and completed Officer Candidates School (OCS). In the spring of 2007, Midshipman Goetz graduated with honors from Temple University and atop his UPENN NROTC class. Following commencement, he received a commission as a Second Lieutenant of Marines.
Post commissioning, Second Lieutenant Goetz reported to The Basic School (TBS) and completed the Basic Officer Course (BOC). After TBS, he reported to Assault Amphibian Schools Battalion and was then assigned to 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion (3d AA Bn), First Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California. Following Military Occupational Specialty training, he served as the commander of First Platoon, Company B, 3d AA Bn. In the summer of 2008, Second Lieutenant Goetz deployed for training to Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and took part in exercise Rim of the Pacific 2008. After conducting amphibious operations with the Australian Navy and Indonesian Marines aboard the Australian HMAS Tobruk, Second Lieutenant Goetz returned to 3d AA Bn. Promoted to First Lieutenant shortly after, he entered a pre-deployment training program in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
In April 2010, First Lieutenant Goetz deployed with Regimental Combat Team 7 to Marjah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, as the commander of the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Company. Upon redeployment to 3d AA Bn, First Lieutenant Goetz assumed command of Mobility-Counter Mobility Platoon. In May 2011, First Lieutenant Goetz transferred and once again reported to TBS (permanent personnel). Promoted to Captain in July 2011, he served as TBS' Assault Amphibian Vehicle Platoon Commander in support of the Infantry Officer Course and BOC. In December 2012, Captain Goetz assumed the duty of a Warfighting Instructor at TBS. Additionally, Captain Goetz served two cycles as a Staff Platoon Commander, Third Platoon, Echo Company 5-13, and Third Platoon, India Company 1-14. Following his time at TBS, Captain Goetz attended the United States Army's Maneuver Captains Career Course (MCCC) at Fort Benning, Georgia. After MCCC, Captain Goetz reported to 2d Assault Amphibian Battalion (2d AA Bn), Second Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. As part of 2d AA Bn, Captain Goetz served as Company B's commanding officer and the battalion's operations officer. As the operations officer, he deployed aboard USS Fort McHenry to support Cold Response 2016. Separately, as a future operations planner, he deployed independently to the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa from August 2016-May 2017.
Promoted to Major in July 2017, Major Goetz executed orders to the 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion (4th AA Bn), Fourth Marine Division. As part of 4th AA Bn, Major Goetz served as the Inspector-Instructor, Company B, Jacksonville, Florida. He then attended Command and Staff College (CSC) at Marine Corps University during the 2020-2021 academic year. Upon completing CSC, Major Goetz returned to 2d AA Bn serving as the battalion's executive officer. In 2022, Major Goetz executed orders to Headquarters Marine Corps, was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and served as the Assault Amphibian Occupational Field Sponsor for the Deputy Commandant, Plans, Policies, and Operations.
In February 2023, Lieutenant Colonel Goetz returned to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and assumed his post as the Commanding Officer of 2d AA Bn. Lieutenant Colonel Goetz holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Temple University and Masters Degrees from the United States Naval War College and Marine Corps University. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.