Just Thinking… About Applying Military Discipline and Decision-Making to Entrepreneurial Growth with Kris Groves

Career transitions rarely follow a straight line—especially for people coming out of the military. For many veterans, the challenge isn’t discipline or work ethic, but figuring out how deeply technical, high-stakes experience translates into civilian industries that speak a very different language. As more service members step into entrepreneurship, the real question becomes less about if the skills transfer and more about how. What does it take to move from life-or-death decision-making in the military to building, testing, and scaling a marketing business in the real world? Welcome to Just Thinking. In the latest episode, host Kevin Dougherty talks with Kris Groves, President of PassPass, about his unconventional path from Naval Special Warfare into entrepreneurship and marketing. Their conversation explores how critical thinking, risk assessment, and personal development—sharpened over years in the Navy—now guide everything from product strategy to customer acquisition in a fast-growing consumer platform. Key highlights… How Kris’s experience in Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal shaped the way he evaluates risk, consequences, and decision-making in business. Why PassPass focuses on experiential, hyperlocal marketing—using giveaways and scavenger hunts to drive real foot traffic, engagement, and first-party customer data. Why personal development, self-awareness, and pushing beyond comfort zones were critical to Kris’s transition from military service to entrepreneurship. Kris Groves is the President of PassPass, a viral giveaways and experiential marketing platform that connects brands and consumers through high-impact, hyperlocal campaigns. A retired U.S. Navy Special Operations veteran, he brings 14 years of leadership, risk assessment, and operational decision-making experience into business, sales, and marketing. Across prior executive roles, Kris has driven more than $60 million in sales, expanded products into international markets, and built high-performing teams across consumer, retail, and growth-focused organizations. Article written by MarketScale.