Major Passe graduated Winona State University, MN with a B.S. in Business Administration and Marketing. He enlisted in the Marine Corps and attended Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA in 2002. After Marine Combat Training aboard Camp Pendleton, he reported to Military Occupational Specialty (0861) schools at Fort Sill, OK and Coronado, CA. At the completion of those schools in April 2004, he was assigned to 2d Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO) as a Marine Artillery Scout Observer and Fires Control Team chief. While with ANGLICO he deployed in support of OIF 4-6 and 5-7, and attained the rank of sergeant.
In 2006, Major Passe attended OCS, received his commission, and graduated The Basic School in March of 2007. He then completed flight training at NAS Pensacola, VT-2 and HT-18 NAS Whiting Field, and HMLA/T-303, Camp Pendleton, CA. In August 2009, Major Passe joined his first fleet squadron, HMLA-167, MCAS New River, NC as a UH-1N Huey pilot.
In March 2011, Major Passe deployed with the 22d MEU as a Naval Aviation Training and Operations Procedures Standardization officer and attained his Utility Helicopter Commander designation. Upon his return in February 2012, Major Passe attended Series Conversion training in the UH-1Y Huey aboard Camp Pendleton, CA and then returned to HMLA-167 to work in the maintenance department as the Airframes Division AOIC.
From May to November 2013, Major Passe deployed to Afghanistan in support of OEF 13.1 as a Helicopter Section Lead and the Airframes Division OIC. After returning from OEF, Major Passe continued to work in the Squadron’s maintenance department as the Quality Assurance Officer, Maintenance Administration OIC, and the Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer.
While at HMLA-167, Major Passe attended Expeditionary Warfare School, Blended Seminar Program on New River, NC. He left the squadron in June of 2015, holding aircraft designations of Weapons Training Officer, Functional Check Pilot Standardization Officer, and Instrument Flight Board member.
Major Passe then worked aboard NAS Whiting Field, Milton FL from June 2015 to June 2018 as an Instructor Pilot and Operations Officer of HELTRARON-8. His designations included Instruments, Night Vision Device, Formation, Standardization instructor, Progress Check Instructor Pilot and member of the Aviation Mishap Board. While there, Major Passe attended Aviation Safety Officer school in Pensacola, FL. and Tactical Air Control Party school in Little Creek, VA.
Major Passe’s most recent billet was Air Officer for the 6th Marine Regiment, Camp Lejeune. While with the Regiment, he attended Weapons and Tactics Instructor course (Air Officer Department) and deployed with Task Force Southwest 19.2 to Afghanistan from June 2019 to February 2020. Major Passe executed orders to H&HS New River in July 2020.
Major Passe’s personal decorations include the Air Medal Strike/Flight with numeral 5, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.