Hello everyone,

Thank you so much for your continued support. It has been wonderful, uplifting, and truly heartwarming.

Many of you have written me to check in, share encouragement, and show support for this journey I’m on here in Israel, especially during such an emotional time as the release of the hostages.

The Jewish people here have such uplifted hearts and a deep love for America. Everywhere I go, people express gratitude for the friendship between our nations. Many have even said they wish Israel could become the fifty-first state or at least a U.S. territory like Puerto Rico. The appreciation and unity are felt in every conversation.

You know, when you own a security company, serve in the military, or work in law enforcement, most of our focus is on the physical side of tactics. We spend so much time asking how we can become more skilled, faster, stronger, or more precise.

But the word tactical has been misunderstood over time. Tactical simply means having a plan. It does not always mean guns, expandable batons, metal detectors, pepper spray, or defensive tactics. It means having a plan for what to do if something happens.

This week’s training began with something well beyond my expectations, something that is already helping me grow as a professional, a business owner, and a leader. I do not yet have all the answers for how I will apply it, but the value is immense, especially for those I train and mentor.

Life itself trains our nervous system. Just like holding a firearm on the range waiting for the shot to break, our bodies learn anticipation. That anticipation, if not understood, causes us to react prematurely or incorrectly, throwing off our aim. The same happens in life and business. The experiences we carry from our past shape how we expect people to respond, how we think situations will unfold, and sometimes even create the outcomes we fear most.

As a business owner building a company that challenges the foundation of an industry and raises the standard for what real security should look like, I realized that I too carry these anticipations into meetings and client relationships. Perhaps those expectations have shaped both my successes and my setbacks.

This week, my instructor took our training inward into the mind and the heart to help me become a better leader, trainer, and man. It has made me reflect on how to retrain my nervous system, how to stop assuming I already know the outcome, and how to make room for new results.

This lesson has been critical for Israeli soldiers as well. When the Gaza war began, many froze in the initial chaos, their nervous systems locked by fear and expectation. The Israel Defense Forces have since incorporated this same training to help their soldiers become stronger, calmer, and more effective under stress. The lesson is clear: what we carry with us matters, and how we retrain our minds determines whether we freeze or move forward when the moment arrives.

Beyond this, I learned so much more this week, both in and out of training. I completed several major security assignments, including the creation of full corporate and VIP event security plans. I trained in long-rifle defense, close-quarters combat, and hand-to-hand techniques while under stress and fatigue.

We drilled knife defense, stick attacks, chokes, and stress drills. We worked on undercover cover stories and how to build realistic backgrounds that can hold up under pressure. We discussed infrastructure security, blending personnel into environments, and setting operational standards that adapt to scale.

Later in the week, I had the privilege to visit one of the few privately owned properties in Israel, surrounded by horses bred from U.S. stock. Watching the sun set over the countryside gave me a moment to reflect on all I had learned and how these lessons will shape the work we do back home.

Sadly, one of the soldiers from my instructor’s unit was executed by an Arab gang this week, leaving behind a newborn and a young wife who had already lost her father in another terrorist attack. That loss reminded everyone of the true cost of what they train for every day. Even in grief, they press on to protect others.

Through all of this, I have continued to see the same theme: resilience, faith, and the courage to keep moving forward. These people have lived through war, yet they build, rebuild, and keep living with hope.

I’ve also witnessed how Israel is changing its approach to community security. After the attacks, the government made firearm ownership easier for trained and qualified individuals, recognizing that armed, capable citizens can and do stop threats before military or law enforcement arrive. They saw firsthand that trained civilians saved lives during the first attacks of the war.

If Israel-a nation at war-can recognize the importance of immediate response, why can’t we? Why do we continue to leave our children, businesses, and communities vulnerable for minutes when seconds count?

Statistics already show it: trained, armed individuals on site stop more threats than those waiting for help to arrive. This is precisely why trained armed security professionals are critical to our communities.

The trained professional is already there, ready to stop the threat. Whether it’s an executive protection specialist, an undercover expert, or a uniformed professional, we’re there to ensure safety so you can live freely, build your business, and spend time with your family without fear.

When security is done right, we become a natural part of your environment l; coworkers, colleagues, and friends who stand ready to protect when it matters most.

This week has also been personally transformative. I’ve prayed, reflected, and faced my own weaknesses head-on. I’ve seen how anticipation, fear, and expectation can quietly limit growth in business, leadership, and even faith. I’ve also seen the beauty of what can happen when you let go, trust God, and take that next step forward in faith.

As I close this week, I’m thankful for the people I’ve met, the lessons I’ve learned, and the moments of peace along the Mediterranean where I’ve prayed and thought about what lies ahead. I’ve learned that sometimes growth means letting go of what’s behind us, not in anger, but because not everyone can walk the path we are called to.

Faith means stepping forward even when you cannot see the path ahead, trusting that God will catch you when you fall and guide you where you are meant to go.

For those following along, I’ve uploaded a full photo album for Week Two into the shared folder. Please take a look; the images capture moments of training, reflection, and community that words alone cannot.

I’m also incredibly thankful for the new support that has come in. Another $500 was donated this week, bringing the remaining need to $2,000. Two more supporters have reached out with pledges still to come. Every bit of your support helps me continue this mission to bring back lessons, build better systems, and create safer communities together.

If you would like to make a contribution, here is my venmo Shane Venmo it uses my personal cell 760-608-7313. If you would like to make arrangements for a different method, please let me know.

Thank you again for every message, prayer, and contribution. You are part of this journey. You are part of this mission. Together, we are making a real difference in the future of security and community safety.