Overview
Project Preserve Destiny (PPD) is an alleged covert U.S. government program involving extraterrestrial communication and genetic manipulation, as detailed by former U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Dan Sherman in his 1996 book, Above Black: Project Preserve Destiny. Sherman claims he was recruited by the National Security Agency (NSA) to serve as an “intuitive communicator” (IC), using telepathic abilities to interface with extraterrestrial beings, specifically “gray” aliens, as part of a program initiated in the 1960s. The program purportedly involved human abductions and genetic experiments, with the goal of preserving humanity’s future, possibly in response to a predicted cataclysmic event.
Sherman’s claims have divided UFO researchers and the public. Supporters point to his military background, detailed accounts, and partial FOIA responses as evidence of credibility, while skeptics argue the lack of physical evidence, reliance on a single witness, and potential for disinformation undermine the story. Recent unverified reports from 2025, including an Italian article and X posts, suggest PPD may involve unprecedented secrecy and could be transitioning to White House oversight, fueling speculation about UFO disclosure. This post examines Sherman’s narrative, the program’s alleged operations, official responses, skeptical analyses, and its cultural significance.
The story of PPD raises profound questions about government transparency, extraterrestrial contact, and the ethical boundaries of classified programs, making it a polarizing case in UFOlogy and a touchstone for debates about humanity’s place in the cosmos.
Dan Sherman’s Background
Dan Sherman served 12 years in the U.S. Air Force, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant and earning commendations for his work as an electronic intelligence (ELINT) specialist. Born in 1962, Sherman claims his involvement in PPD began during his service in the 1980s and early 1990s, primarily at NSA facilities in Fort Meade, Maryland, and Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. His military record, which he has partially disclosed, shows assignments consistent with high-security clearance roles, lending some credibility to his access to classified programs.
Sherman alleges that in 1992, while stationed at Fort Meade, an Air Force captain revealed his unique role in PPD. He was told his mother was visited by aliens in 1960 during her pregnancy, and he was genetically modified in utero to enhance his telepathic abilities. This modification, Sherman emphasizes, did not make him non-human but unlocked a latent capacity for “intuitive communication” with extraterrestrials. He describes this revelation as both shocking and isolating, as he was sworn to secrecy under the program’s compartmentalized structure.
Sherman’s decision to publish Above Black in 1996 stemmed from moral concerns about PPD’s secrecy and its implications, particularly the alleged abductions. He claims he left the Air Force in 1995 after three years in the program, unwilling to continue supporting a project he believed violated ethical boundaries. His book remains the primary source for PPD’s details, supplemented by interviews on platforms like Coast to Coast AM and UFO conferences.
Training and Intuitive Communication
Sherman’s training for PPD allegedly took place at a secure NSA facility at Fort Meade, disguised as part of his ELINT coursework. He describes being introduced to specialized computer systems designed to interface with his telepathic abilities. The training involved exercises where he manipulated graphical elements, such as bars and circles on a screen using only his mind. These sessions, conducted in a controlled environment, aimed to calibrate his ability to receive and transmit data from extraterrestrial entities.
The “intuitive communication” process was distinct from traditional telepathy, Sherman claims, as it relied on NSA technology to facilitate the connection. He describes the sensation as a stream of data entering his consciousness, often in the form of numbers, coordinates, or abstract impressions. At Offutt AFB, he reportedly communicated with multiple alien entities, whom he nicknamed “Spock” and “Bones” after Star Trek characters, to cope with the surreal experience. These communications occurred over months, with Sherman logging data he believed related to human abductions.
The purpose of the data, Sherman alleges, was tied to a genetic modification program, possibly to prepare humanity for a future event. He references a potential electromagnetic catastrophe around 2012, though he admits he was not privy to the program’s full objectives due to its compartmentalized “onion” structure, where information was tightly controlled.
Alleged Program Objectives
According to Sherman, Project Preserve Destiny was established in the 1960s following decades of U.S. government contact with extraterrestrials, beginning with the 1947 Roswell incident. The program’s name, “Preserve Destiny,” suggests a mission to safeguard humanity’s future, potentially in response to a predicted global crisis. Sherman speculates this could involve environmental collapse, electromagnetic disruptions, or an alien-driven agenda, though he lacks specifics due to his limited clearance.
The core of PPD, as described, involved tracking human abductions and genetic experiments conducted by gray aliens. Sherman claims he received data resembling ZIP codes or grid coordinates, which he believes pinpointed abduction locations. The genetic modifications allegedly aimed to enhance human resilience or compatibility with alien objectives, though Sherman questions whether the U.S. government was a willing partner or merely complicit in allowing abductions in exchange for technological advancements.
Some UFO researchers, citing Sherman’s account, propose PPD was part of a broader effort to prepare humanity for open contact with extraterrestrials or to integrate alien DNA into the human population. However, these interpretations remain speculative, as Sherman himself admits uncertainty about the program’s ultimate goals, constrained by the NSA’s need-to-know protocols.
FOIA Requests and Official Responses
Efforts to verify PPD through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests have yielded mixed results. In 2023, researcher Noah Hradek filed a FOIA request with the Air Force, which was denied, citing lack of records. A subsequent request to the NSA received a “Glomar response” neither confirming nor denying the program’s existence under Executive Order 13526, which protects classified national security information. This response, while standard for sensitive programs, has been interpreted by some as tacit acknowledgment of PPD’s existence.
Additional FOIA attempts by UFO researchers, including those reported on X in 2025, have uncovered no declassified documents directly confirming PPD. The Air Force’s Project Blue Book, which investigated UFOs until 1969, classified similar claims as hoaxes or misidentifications, and no official records link PPD to extraterrestrial programs. Some speculate that PPD’s records, if they exist, are classified at a level beyond standard FOIA access, possibly under Special Access Program (SAP) protocols.
Critics argue that the lack of tangible evidence, such as declassified memos, equipment descriptions, or corroborating witnesses, weakens Sherman’s claims. The NSA’s noncommittal response is consistent with its handling of other classified programs, such as PRISM, revealed by Edward Snowden, suggesting bureaucratic opacity rather than confirmation of extraterrestrial activity.
Skeptical Perspectives
Skeptics dismiss Project Preserve Destiny as a product of disinformation, personal fabrication, or misinterpretation. The absence of physical evidence—alien artifacts, declassified documents, or independent witnesses, casts doubt on Sherman’s account. Some suggest his training may have been part of a psychological operation or experimental program, such as the CIA’s MKUltra or the Army’s Stargate Project, which explored remote viewing and psychic phenomena during the Cold War.
The “intuitive communication” technology Sherman describes could be explained as experimental human-computer interfaces or biofeedback systems, not necessarily alien-related. Critics also question the plausibility of a single low-ranking sergeant being entrusted with such a sensitive program, arguing that compartmentalization would likely involve higher-level operatives. The “onion” structure Sherman references could indicate he was fed misinformation to test his loyalty or as part of a broader psyop.
Psychologists propose that Sherman’s experiences might reflect cognitive bias or stress-induced misperceptions, amplified by his exposure to UFO culture during the 1990s. His book’s commercial success, with sales driven by UFO enthusiasts, has led to accusations of profiteering, though Sherman insists his motive was to expose the truth. The lack of corroboration from other NSA personnel or physical evidence remains a significant barrier to credibility.
Recent Developments (2025)
In July 2025, an article in the Italian publication L’Espresso claimed that Project Preserve Destiny is a highly classified program with “six levels of secrecy,” now transitioning from Pentagon oversight to direct White House control under President Donald Trump. The article, citing anonymous sources, suggests PPD involves advanced extraterrestrial technology and could be linked to upcoming UFO disclosure efforts. These claims align with a reported document submitted by journalist Michael Shellenberger to the House Oversight Committee, as discussed on X by users like @CuriousNHI and @UFOChronicles.
However, skeptics on X, including @TheUfoJoe, have questioned the reliability of these reports, noting their dependence on unverified sources and lack of primary evidence. The timing coincides with renewed public interest in UAPs following 2023 congressional hearings and the Pentagon’s AARO (All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office) reports, which found no evidence of extraterrestrial activity but acknowledged unexplained phenomena. The absence of official confirmation keeps these developments speculative, fueling both excitement and skepticism in UFO communities.
Some researchers speculate that PPD, if real, could be part of a broader disclosure strategy, possibly tied to the 2024 UAP Disclosure Act, which mandates the release of classified UAP records. However, the lack of transparency and reliance on secondhand accounts continue to hinder verification, leaving PPD’s status as a contested mystery.
Historical Context
Project Preserve Destiny, if genuine, would fit into a broader history of alleged U.S. government involvement with extraterrestrials, beginning with the 1947 Roswell incident and continuing through programs like Project Blue Book (1947–1969) and the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP, 2007–2012). Sherman’s claim of government-alien contact since 1947 aligns with narratives from other whistleblowers, such as Bob Lazar, who alleged reverse-engineering of alien technology at Area 51 in the 1980s.
The 1960s, when PPD allegedly began, were a period of heightened UFO activity and Cold War secrecy. The U.S. military’s exploration of unconventional technologies, including psychic research and anti-gravity propulsion, lends some plausibility to Sherman’s claims of experimental programs. Declassified documents from the CIA’s Stargate Project, which studied remote viewing, show the government’s willingness to investigate paranormal phenomena, though no evidence directly supports extraterrestrial communication.
The NSA’s role in PPD, as described by Sherman, is consistent with its history of signals intelligence and secrecy. The agency’s involvement in projects like ECHELON, revealed in the 1990s, demonstrates its capacity for covert operations, but no declassified records link the NSA to aliens, leaving PPD as an outlier in its documented activities.
Impact and Legacy
Project Preserve Destiny has carved a niche in UFOlogy, fueled by Dan Sherman’s Above Black, which has sold modestly but garnered a dedicated following among UFO enthusiasts. Its detailed narrative and military insider perspective give it a “ring of truth” for some, distinguishing it from less substantiated claims. Sherman’s appearances on radio shows like Coast to Coast AM and at UFO conferences in the 1990s and 2000s amplified its reach, making PPD a staple in discussions of government-alien collaboration.
The story has inspired creative works, including the 2017 music album Beyond Black: Project Preserve Destiny by S.E.T.I., which uses ambient soundscapes to evoke the eerie atmosphere of Sherman’s experiences. Some fans have drawn parallels between PPD and fictional works like the 2023 Pixar film Elio, which features a boy communicating with aliens, though no direct connection exists. The concept of human-alien hybrids and government complicity has also influenced conspiracy theories, linking PPD to narratives of secret space programs and global cover-ups.
In Kelly, Kentucky, near the site of the 1955 Hopkinsville Goblins encounter, PPD is occasionally referenced during the annual Alien Invasion Day festival, where locals and UFO enthusiasts discuss its implications alongside other cases. The story’s enduring appeal lies in its blend of military intrigue, extraterrestrial contact, and ethical dilemmas, keeping it relevant in debates about disclosure and humanity’s cosmic future.