The well-known former commando Ray Klaassens is concerned about the shortage of commandos. It was announced on Saturday that the training in Roosendaal had only 14 newcomers this year. Even though forty are needed. “It’s not because they aren’t there, they just haven’t been found yet,” says Klaasens.
“If fewer people become commandos every year, this practically means that you can carry out fewer operations,” says former commando Ray. “Then you have to adjust your safety expectations or look for more candidates.” Because he is convinced that those potential commandos exist.
Not weaker
Today Ray has his own personal leadership company. In this capacity he is also involved in part of the training for commandos in Roosendaal. He also quickly knew that the number of trained commandos was very low this year.
Ray does have some reassurance. “It is not the case that the participants in the training are physically and mentally weaker than in the past.” According to Ray, it mainly depends on the number of candidates who register. “There should be more.”
Ray also contradicts the fact that the threat in the world and even a war on the European continent prevents candidates from registering. “The commandos are not interested in candidates who drop out at the supreme moment. There will always be people who feel attracted by adventure and increasing pressure, and they will not let this hold them back.”
The former commando thinks the problem lies in recruitment. “We need to visit sports and security training courses where students are already interested in components that are also required of a commando.” According to Ray, there are potential commandos here who do not know that they are being sought.
Heavier
The television program Kamp van Koningsbrugge, of which Ray is part, has shown for years what is physically and mentally required of commandos. He doesn’t think this TV show will deter candidates. Four years ago it was reported that the number of candidate registrations had actually increased as a result.
What Ray does know is that the training has become more difficult. “In my time you had to be physically and mentally strong. Now those mental exercises have become even tougher because more self-reliance is required. You don’t always have a buddy who can support you in a weak moment. That has to do with changing warfare. in which you also need to have more technical knowledge. For example, you need to know how your drones and lasers work and countless other modern devices.”
Being needed
Yet this does not alone explain the low number of commands that reach the finish line. “I think that the message and associated feeling of ‘being needed’ is not yet conveyed well enough. I have not been a commando for years and I like that very much. It gives more space for a private life, which I also find important. But if they ask the commands: ‘Ray we need you’ then I’m there. That does something to me.”
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