January 10, 2023

Dear friends,

Thank you so much for your support and care for the mission and organization of ALERT through the years! I hope God granted you many blessings over the holiday season, and that your year is off to a good start. Here is a brief update about what's going on at ALERT in the first training quarter of the year.

We kicked the quarter off on Saturday with thirty six men in 2nd Phase, seven in Leadership & Communications, and one flight student working toward his commercial rating. The first couple of days were full of orientation and getting things rolling, but by today things are settling into a good rhythm.

The first big event of the year will be the reunion January 27-29. The reunion is a highlight for us every year as we get to have a lot of fun together, and especially as we have the opportunity to reconnect with many alumni we haven't seen in a long time. The following weekend, around 50 guys will be headed to FL for two weeks of dive training for 2nd Phase and a week of Hurricane Ian recovery. L&C will also make their leadership field trip to Washington D.C. near the end of February. After everyone returns in the last week of February, we only have two weeks left in the quarter before we wrap things up on March 11 and transition to the spring quarter.

We have also had a couple of staffing changes this quarter. Matthew Moody finished his time as Sergeant Major last November, and Avery Whitaker is replacing him in that role. Matthew is sticking around to resume teaching our 3rd Phase Dive program, which will be restarting in March during the spring training quarter. Please be in prayer for both these men as they move into their new roles.

As I look towards the year ahead, I am excited for all the opportunities and challenges that we will face, and thankful to have a God who is sovereign over everything. Thank you again for all your prayers!