- #DEFCON LEVELS MEANING HOW TO#
- #DEFCON LEVELS MEANING CODE#
#DEFCON LEVELS MEANING HOW TO#
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days: "I have to crack this guy. Other nations have similar alert systems.Ĭompare with The War on Terror, for the color system that is often parodied for its vagueness. On the other hand, Nuclear Missile forces designed to launch at a moment's notice are essentially at DEFCON 1 at all times even if the current status is DEFCON 5. An armoured division in the US is going to take several weeks at best to move and engage an enemy (unless the Russians are hitting Long Island right now), even at DEFCON 1. It should be pointed out that alert levels mean different things to different forces. #DEFCON LEVELS MEANING CODE#
Only the Strategic Air Command (the nuclear bombers) were at DEFCON 2, the rest of the military was maintained at DEFCON 3 throughout the crisis Code Name: FAST PACE note This would have been during the Cuban Missile Crisis on October 22, 1962. Armed Forces ready to deploy and engage in less than 6 hours this is the highest level ever reached in history.
DEFCON 2: Conventional warfare is imminent. Air Force ready to mobilize in 15 minutes this is the first truly "shit is about to get real" phase of the levels. DEFCON 3: Increase in force readiness above that required for normal readiness. Code Name: DOUBLE TAKE note seems that someone in the military had an odd sense of humor DEFCON 4: Increased intelligence watch and strengthened security measures. The highest that the worldwide DEFCON level has ever risen to is 3. It's important to note that DEFCON levels can be limited to geographical regions, DEFCON 2 during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Gulf War were limited to the affected regions. The Yom Kippur War of 1973 saw a brief period at DEFCON 3 (codename "ROUND HOUSE", with some forces in the Middle East being at 2), as did 9/11. The highest state reached for the Strategic Air Command in US history was DEFCON 2 (codename "FAST PACE", during the Cuban Missile Crisis), the Gulf War also led to forces in the Middle East reaching DEFCON 2, for obvious reasons i.e., actually being at war. The use of nuclear weapons is authorized here, but they will still require unlock codes from high authority. DEFCON 1 (codename "COCKED PISTOL") is the highest, referring to a confirmed state of nuclear war. DEFCON 5 (codename "FADE OUT" note These codenames are used during exercises to avoid confusion with the real deal) is the lowest state of alert, aka completely tranquil peace time. This is incorrect, and this trope is about the misuse of these terms. Hopefully knowing this helps you spot the idiots and have a little more knowledge about how things work - as opposed to how the media portrays reality.In some movies, the phrase "Defcon 5" or Defense Readiness Condition 5 is used to refer to the highest state of alert for the United States Armed Forces. DEFCON 4 was used sporadically during the War on Terror and Gulf War. DEFCON 1 has never ever been activated - if it had - you would know for sure as we would still be dealing with nuclear fallout. DEFCON 2 has only occurred once, that was during the Cuban Missile Crisis when Cuba threatened to launch missiles against the U.S mainland. The 9/11 attacks were the last time we achieved DEFCON 3. Level 3 has only occurred four times in the entire history of the country. Level 2,3,4 are somewhat more nebulous, but maybe a little history will help illustrate just how difficult it is to move from one readiness condition to another. Level 1 means we are in an active nuclear war - not any war - but nuclear war. Level 5 means we are at a normal level of readiness and no significant threats face the country. DEFCON Level 1 and 5 are the easiest to understand. That is because it is a huge deal to move from say level 5 to 4 or 3. To move from one DEFCON level to another requires Presidential orders. I suggest you call the FBI and let them know someone is violating national security. If you hear someone factually spouting off about DEFCON levels they are either violating national security or an idiot. We are probably at DEFCON 4 today, due to the North Korea issues, but since DEFCON levels are classified, we really have no idea. Typically we are at DEFCON 5 - which is the lowest level of readiness. For example, at DEFCON 3 the U.S Air Force must be able to launch attacks or counterattacks in 15 minutes or less. Each DEFCON level is tied to a set of protocols for each branch of the military. DEFCON levels are a way to indicate our military posture or level of readiness. The levels are 1-5 (there are only 5 - if someone says we are at DEFCON 6 - they are idiots and lying). But what does that really mean? Often people quote DEFCON levels without understanding the facts.ĭEFCON stands for Defense Condition. DEFCON Level: You may hear people refer to "DEFCON Level 3" or something similar in the media.