A system includes a synchronous generator coupled to an excitation system. The excitation system may output an excitation signal to excite the synchronous generator to produce a voltage and a current at an output of the synchronous generator. During startup, when the synchronous generator is rotating at less than rated speed, non-rotating synchronous electric motors may be electrically coupled to the synchronous generator. A controller may direct the excitation system to output the excitation signal to generate, with the synchronous generator, a first magnitude of current flow, and the synchronous motor loads are non-rotational in response to receipt of the first magnitude of current flow. In addition, the controller may selectively direct output of a pulse of the excitation signal, when the synchronous generator is rotating at less than rated speed, to urge the non-rotating synchronous motor loads into rotational electrical alignment with the synchronous generator and each other.