Abstract: A rapid start power unit and a method of operating a rapid start power unit are disclosed. A fuel cell converts combustible fuel into electrical power during a normal operational period after an initial start-up period when little to no electrical energy is produced. One combustion chamber receives unspent fuel emitted by the fuel cell and combusts the unspent fuel to generate a first heated gas stream. Another combustion chamber receives combustible fuel and burns the combustible fuel to generate a second heated gas stream during the initial start-up period. A turbine receives and is driven by the first and second heated gas streams to drive a drive shaft. A generator coupled to the drive shaft generates electrical power during the initial start-up period and supplemental power during the normal operational period. In an alternative embodiment, a two-stage combustion chamber is used instead of two serially-arranged separate combustion chambers.