CS#71: Dutch Commando Corps Officer (KCT) | Dutch General Intelligence Service (AIVD) | Triangular Group CEO | Ray Klaassens

Today we hear an international Combat Story from Ray Klaassens, a Dutch Special Operator in the Commando Corps (KCT) and former Dutch General Intelligence Service (or AIVD) officer who spent years in combat zones fighting our very same enemies alongside American counterparts.
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Ray comes from very humble origins and the other side of the "canal" as he likes to say, overcoming so much to reach the pinnacle of intelligence and military units. Both KCT and AIVD, if you ask any American who served alongside them (including myself), are elite units that many of us would happily go down range with.
Since leaving the service, Ray overcame even greater odds to create his company, Triangular Group, that provides de-risking and intelligence services for clients globally.
I hope you enjoy this international Combat Story from humble roots to true success in military, intel, and business as much as I did.
Find Ray Online:

Ray's Linktree
Instragram @rayklaassens

Find Ryan Online:

Patreon Community
Combat Story Merch
Ryan's Linktree
Instagram @combatstory
Facebook @combatstoryofficial
Send us messages
Email ryan@combatstory.com
Learn more about Ryan
Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Show Notes:

0:00 - Intro
1:22 - Guest Introduction (Ray Klaassens)
2:21 - Interview begins
5:11 Growing up poor in the Netherlands
17:47 The process for becoming an officer in the Dutch military
24:44 About the different Dutch Special Forces and the KCT
33:07 What it was like in the Netherlands on 9/11 and how his commando training changed
38:14 Leading a team down range with very little intel
54:01 Story of engaging with a drunk guy in Afghanistan in order to get some information
56:37 Leading a team to find someone placing IEDs on the full moon
1:05:45 Switching from Special Forces to Intel Services AIBD as a secret service
1:20:50 Exiting Intel Services, starting the Triangular Group, and what they are doing today
1:33:47 - What did you carry into combat?
1:35:01 - Would you do it all again?
1:36:17 - Listener comments and shout outs