Investigating UFO Claims: A Personal Journey

A few days ago, in the small village of Teton, Wyoming, I had an interesting conversation with a man who had been staying there. He approached me after hearing about my book, Out of this World. Over coffee, he shared his years of research into more than 100 cases of unidentified aerial phenomena linked to rocket launches along Florida’s Space Coast. While most of these cases have logical explanations, some remain shrouded in mystery.

He recounted a particularly striking story from a retired U.S. Navy officer who, having worked as a military mortician, claimed to have examined what he believed to be non-human remains. Rather than quickly accepting or dismissing this claim, I posed an important question: “Where are the photos? Are there any laboratory reports? Who maintained the chain of custody? Is there any independent verification of this information?”

I encouraged him to reconnect with the retired officer to seek answers. Until then, it’s just an intriguing but unverified assertion.

This chat took me back to my 24 years in the Army and another 22 at the Department of Defense. The primary risk in today’s conversation around UAPs (unidentified aerial phenomena) isn’t necessarily government secrecy; rather, it’s the certainty some people have in their beliefs.

Documentary Filmmaker’s Claims on ‘Non-Human’ Remains

Some have already made up their minds that UAPs confirm extraterrestrial visits while others dismiss all reports as mere misunderstandings. Neither viewpoint showcases a disciplined approach to analysis. Good intelligence starts with the evidence—it doesn’t begin with belief or skepticism.

Classification Is Not Evidence

During my time at the Department of Defense, I attended numerous briefings on classified projects and intelligence assessments. Governments keep information classified to safeguard sources and methodologies, not because it’s necessarily conclusive evidence of anything. A discerning analyst recognizes the difference between what remains classified and what remains unexplained.

The Pentagon has shifted its stance on UAPs, treating them not as mere curiosities but as persistent intelligence challenges. Military experts are required to investigate unexplained phenomena, and Congress has a role in pushing for transparency within national security constraints.

Research vs. Interpretation

However, it seems there’s a misunderstanding here. Research involves collecting data—such as radar tracking, pilot testimonies, and sensor readings—but this information alone cannot explain these occurrences.

That’s why many discussions seem to focus solely on what the government might be concealing. While those are valid questions in a democratic society, there’s a more pressing one that remains unanswered: what exactly is happening with these phenomena?

I spent over a year diving into government archives, military accounts, scientific studies, and even religious texts—not to prove or disprove the existence of extraterrestrial life, but to figure out which explanations fit the evidence best.

Humanity has struggled with these unexplained aerial phenomena for centuries. Modern military pilots keep reporting encounters that challenge conventional explanations. While many cases turn out to be ordinary, a notable minority do not. This consistent ambiguity should invoke a sense of humility rather than outright certainty. Today, many people tend to think these occurrences indicate extraterrestrial life or undiscovered technology, but that conclusion is based on assumptions.

Beyond Scientific Inquiry

Ultimately, the debate isn’t just about UFOs; it’s about our methods for determining what is true. Science excels at explaining the observable, but it can’t address deeper questions of meaning. Those lead us toward philosophy and, ultimately, theology.

For me, as an evangelical Christian, the Bible often provides insights that are overlooked in these discussions. Believers shouldn’t ridicule unexplained phenomena, as the Bible acknowledges a reality beyond our physical world, including angels and spiritual entities.

Yet, extraordinary claims demand compelling evidence. The apostle Paul advised believers to “test everything and hold fast to what is good.” This principle applies equally to unusual claims about UAPs as to all other truth claims.

The government’s enhanced focus on investigating UAPs deserves support. Serious questions require thorough investigations, but research is not the same as interpretation.

While I await responses from the retired Navy mortician to the questions I’ve raised, I keep in mind that rigorous research is far more valuable than confident speculation. My ongoing responsibility is to ask insightful questions, seek substantive evidence, and analyze it with humility. If there are answers, the evidence will eventually surface. Otherwise, speculation will ultimately fall flat.

This discipline has served me well throughout my security career. As we confront one of today’s most captivating mysteries, it might just be the best way to discern fact from fiction.