'Kees Matthijssen is the only military officer who has commanded during four missions at different levels over the past decades. He has come to understand the complexities and dilemmas in conflict areas in their entirety. Profound leadership experiences, but always with a focus on people.
Lieutenant General (ret.) Kees Matthijssen served nearly 43 years in the Dutch armed forces before retiring in October 2023. He held many positions within the Army and Defense, at staff levels, but also many in the operational domain including four missions as commander. In his last position, he served as Force Commander of the UN mission MINUSMA in Mali (January 2022 – January 2023).
Previously, he was a company commander in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1995), battalion commander in Iraq (2004), and Taskforce commander in Afghanistan (2008-2009). He was part of the Dutch Liaison team of US Central Command in early 2002, served as a military advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2013-2014), was Deputy Commander of the Land Forces, and served in NATO’s Joint Force Command Brunssum as Deputy Chief of Staff Plans. He obtained a master’s degree in Strategic Studies (MSS) from the US Army War College in 2010.
He received the French ‘Legion d’Honneur’ and the German ‘Ehrenkreuz der Bundeswehr in Gold’ for his outstanding cooperation with both countries. For his exceptional service record, he received a royal distinction and was made Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau with swords.
After his retirement, he wrote about his experiences in the book ‘Commander in Four Missions’. Nowadays, he sits on the Peace & Security Committee of the Advisory Council on International Affairs, is an advisor at Principles for Peace and the Atlantic Commission, is still involved in several Defense training programs, gives guest lectures at universities, and delivers speeches.
Leadership is about enabling people to bring out the best in themselves. Leadership is who you are. Authenticity is an important foundation.