HC0022 - Dagan Van Oosten - USMC Scout Sniper - CIA Contractor

Jake sits down with Marine veteran, sniper instructor, and security consultant Dagan Van Oosten. From his time in the Marine Corps as a scout sniper to working in high-risk contracting and founding Nomadic Research, Dagan shares incredible insights into military life, war, and transitioning to civilian entrepreneurship. The conversation covers his experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan, the psychology of combat, and how warfighters cope with life after service.

CHECK OUT HIS PRODUCTS:

⁠https://nomadicresearch.com/⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/nomadic_research/?hl=en⁠

Timestamps & Segment Breakdown

(00:00 - 00:49) Intro & Guest Introduction

- Rope welcomes the audience and introduces the guest.

- Overview of Dagan’s military career, sniper experience, and transition into contracting.

(00:50 - 2:22) "Wheel of Stupid Questions" - Zombie Apocalypse Preparedness

- Dagan's strategy for surviving a zombie apocalypse.

- Compares the pandemic to a zombie apocalypse.

- “If I was going to take over a shopping center, I wouldn’t broadcast it.”

(2:23 - 4:07) Military Family Influence & Joining the Marine Corps

- Growing up in a family full of Marines.

- Inspired by GI Joe, Rambo, and military culture.

- Knew he wanted to be part of an elite unit from the start.

(4:08 - 6:10) 9/11 & The Shift from Peacetime to War

- Enlisted in 1998, went from peacetime to war after 9/11.

- The mixed emotions of wanting to deploy and knowing the risks.

- The long wait before finally getting the call to Iraq.

(6:11 - 9:09) Deployment to Iraq – Combat Readiness & Fear

- The psychology of Marines before a deployment.

- Preparing for war: “Hold these guys back, don’t push them forward.”

- Difference between infantrymen and special forces.

- “Are warfighters born or built? It’s both.”

(9:10 - 12:20) First Combat Experience – Surreal Moments & Adaptation

- First firefight was like Saving Private Ryan: chaos, but also clarity.

- Quickly adapting to war and making it the new normal.

- Life on deployment – waiting, boredom, rationing MREs.

(12:21 - 15:17) Military Logistics & The Reality of Living in War

- Life in a combat zone – where do you eat, sleep, shower?

- Stories of rationing food and making do.

- Favorite MRE flavors (spoiler: cheeseburger macaroni was a winner).

(15:18 - 19:34) Becoming a Sniper – Training & Fundamentals

- From infantryman to Scout Sniper School.

- Rigorous 10-week sniper training program.

- Teaching at Quantico & the FBI HRT Sniper Course.

- Shooting advice for civilians: “Stick to the fundamentals.”

(19:35 - 24:53) Transition from Military to Private Contracting

- Leaving the Marines after being promoted out of the field.

- Life as a contractor for Blackwater and the CIA.

- Deploying 90 days on, 30 days off for five years straight.

- How contracting differed from military service – better food, better conditions, but still dangerous.

(24:54 - 29:04) The Psychological Cost of War & Moral Dilemmas

- Rules of Engagement – Fighting by different rules than the enemy.

- “In war, we are the bad guy in someone else’s story.”

(29:05 - 34:19) Warfighter Mentality – Cynicism & Disillusionment

- Seeing the truth behind the curtain of war and politics.

- How war shapes a person’s worldview.

- The struggle of coming home and adjusting to normal life.

(34:20 - 40:30) Family, Marriage & Fatherhood After War

- The difficulty of maintaining a marriage while being deployed.

- How his wife, a former Marine, understood the sacrifices.

- Emotional struggles: anger, anxiety, substance abuse.

(40:31 - 43:15) Entrepreneurship – Founding Nomadic Research

- Teaming up with fellow veteran Matt Horton.

- Creating high-quality outdoor gear for patriots & adventurers.

(43:16 - 44:11) Final Thoughts & Where to Find Dagan

- Follow Nomadic Research: www.nomadicresearch.com

- Instagram: @nomadicresearch