forging men
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ALERT’s Purpose is to forge extraordinary men who influence their world for Christ.
ALERT utilizes a military-style structure, intentional discipleship, unique experiences, and professional skills training to create an environment that facilitates the forging process. Our goal is to create men who are spiritually sound, physically fit, and ready to serve.
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“Every day at ALERT, I learn to depend on Christ more. I’ve learned there is always room to grow, that I don’t have all the answers, and most importantly, that it is my walk with Him that really matters.”
Kenjie S. | Unit 66
“Before I came to the ALERT program, my life was without direction and purpose. I would spend my time working dead-end jobs and playing video games, and occasionally participating in outdoor activities if invited. After going through Basic training, I saw a glimpse of what I could be if I wanted to change. Over my time at ALERT, I have seen God’s grace to me as my faith and reliance on Him grew. I can say for certain that ALERT has changed my life for the better in terms of leadership, discipline, physical strength, and so much more. I will forever be grateful to this program and the men in it.”
Joshua L. | Unit 64
“The unique tensions and challenges that I faced here forced me to rely on God and get out of my comfort zone. It taught me to behave with conviction, think with clarity, and speak with authority. ALERT gave me a valuable perspective about life, God, and people that I never had before.”
Len N. | Unit 61
Forging
Awards and Promotions
The 2023-2 awards and promotions ceremony took place today as we close out the spring semester this week. Congratulations to all the men who promoted, and especially to Jared Hendrich, Len Nafziger, Elias Peterson, Kenjie Stoltzfus, and Ethan Todd who joined the ranks of ALERT NCOs with their promotion to the rank of Corporal. In addition, SSgt Claude Dean was commissioned to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, and 1Sgt Daniel Downs was commissioned to the rank of Warrant Officer.
Cpl. Peter Sawyer also received the Commander’s Commendation award for exemplary service above and beyond his expected duties as EMT class unit leader. The Commander’s Commendation award is the second highest award at ALERT, behind only the ALERT Commendation award for using training to save a life.
For more information about the ALERT Academy, please see the link in our bio.
#ALERTAcademy #forgingmen #awardsandpromotions #NCO

Unit 67 Graduation
Unit 67’s graduation ceremonies will take place Friday, June 2 at 4 pm. We will be livestreaming the full stage ceremony on our Facebook page. Congratulations to the men of Unit 67 on their graduation from ALERT and their induction into the Eagle Response Unit!
#ALERTAcademy #forgingmen #graduation #Unit67

"On Memorial Day, we give thanks for the blessings of freedom and peace and for the generations of Americans who have won them for us. We also pray for the same strength and moral reserve demonstrated by these veterans, as well as for the true and lasting peace found in a world where liberty and justice prevail."
President George H.W. Bush, May 28, 1989
#ALERTAcademy #forgingmen #memorialday #memorialday2023

Unit 68
Congratulations to the men of Unit 68 on their advancement out of Basic Training! The 32 men who finished Unit 68 have joined the brotherhood of all the men who have gone before them, and are now part of the ALERT Battalion. As a symbol of their advancement out of Basic Training, the men are issued the ALERT patch for their uniforms, and may additionally receive a promotion to the rank of Responder. They are now also able to wear the ALERT t-shirt and their unit t-shirt.
As the men head home for furlough, please join us in praying for their continued spiritual growth and discipline, and for rest and physical recovery after the rigors of Basic Training. We look forward to seeing them back on June 24 for the start of 2nd Phase.
If you were part of Unit 68 and would like to be tagged in the photo, please send us a direct message and we will tag you.
For more information on ALERT Basic Training, please see the link in our bio.
#ALERTAcademy #forgingmen #advancement #Unit68

Advancement Dayâ €
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Unit 68’s Advancement ceremonies will start at 1:30 this afternoon, Central Time. We will be live-streaming the skills demonstration, the drill and ceremony presentation, and the advancement ceremony in separate streams on our Facebook page. Please visit our Facebook for the live stream, and congratulations to the men of Unit 68!
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#ALERTAcademy #forgingmen #advancementday #unit68 #livestream

Throwback Thursday
Recruits in Basic Training Unit 8 learning to rappel in the Northwoods in February of 1996. For more photos from the archive, visit our Flickr at the link in our bio.
#ALERTAcademy #forgingmen #tbt #Unit8 #archive

Frog Week
Last week, the Dive unit completed Frog Week, a physically demanding week of training designed to challenge the students’ competence in stressful circumstances and under physical strain. ALERT’s diving program helps students master the water, and each aspect of the course is designed to build confidence and competence in the water environment. Frog Week is the culmination of that training, and is a highlight of each Dive course.
For more information on ALERT’s Dive training, please visit our website at the link in our bio.
#ALERTAcademy #forgingmen #scuba #scubadiving #frogweek

ALERT missions training
The ALERT Missions course exists to help the men consider what it means to fulfill the Great Commission, both at home and abroad. Through field exercises, courses such as evangelism and leadership, immersive training programs, and an international service trip, the class challenges and equips the men to spend their lives in service to the cause of Christ, no matter where their missions field may take them.
The next Missions class starts August 26. To register for any of our 3rd Phase classes, please visit the link in our bio.
#ALERTAcademy #forgingmen #missions #greatcommission

Advancement Day
Unit 68 will be advancing out of Basic Training on Friday, May 26. The program will start at 1:30 in the afternoon, Central Time. We will be live-streaming the skills demonstration, the drill and ceremony presentation, and the advancement ceremony on our Facebook page. Please visit our Facebook page on Friday to watch the live stream.
#ALERTAcademy #forgingmen #advancementday #livestream

Early registration deadline
The early registration deadline for the summer training quarter is Monday, May 22nd. After that date the price for training increases by $100. Training options available next quarter are 2nd Phase and Leadership & Communications.
ALERT’s 2nd Phase of training is designed to develop personal competence, critical thinking, life purpose, and a service mindset through a variety of skills and experiences. Building off the lessons of Basic Training, our goal in this phase is to create a desire for maturity and personal growth in each man as they move into their third phase of training and accept their calling as men. The classes in the 2nd Phase will include:
• Structural Fire Fighting⠀
• Basic High Angle Rescue
• Open Water and Advanced Open Water Diving
• Rescue Systems One
• Sawyer
• Two Weeks of Deployment
For more information on all of our training, or to register, please visit the link in our bio.
#ALERTtraining #2ndphase #intermediatetraining #firefighting #highanglerescue #rescuesystemsone #dive #evangelism #deployment #ALERT #ALERTAcademy #IAA #forgingmen #forge #ALERT #ALERTdiving #training #opportunity #manhood #biblicalmanhood #Godlymanhood #discipleship #service #courage #pushyourself #prepare #getready #pushup #dohardthings #domore

Throwback Thursday
Unit 13 advancing out of Basic Training on November 16, 1997. Unit 13 took place from September 22 to November 16, 1997. For more photos of Unit 13, please visit our Flickr at the link in our bio.
#ALERTAcademy #forgingmen #advancement #Unit13 #1997

Grano-o-ola!
My favorite breakfast food.
I ate it all through Basic;
It helped me make it through.
Grano-o-ola!
A perfect work of art.
Forgot about my girlfriend;
Granola stole my heart.
Grano-o-ola!
The manna from above;
The first time that I tried it,
I think I fell in love.
#ALERTAcademy #forgingmen #granola
