A system includes a gas turbine engine, which includes a compressor configured to generate compressed air and a turbine. The turbine includes a stationary component and a conduit configured to convey the compressed air from the compressor to the stationary component in a forward direction. The gas turbine engine also includes a flow control device coupled to the conduit. The conduit is configured to convey a gas path air from the stationary component in a reverse direction opposite from the forward direction when the flow control device is in a startup mode. The gas turbine engine also includes a shaft coupled to the compressor and the turbine.