The DEFCON scale (short for "defense readiness condition") measures the alert level of the US defense forces. Its minimum level is a grade equal to 5 (in normal peacetime conditions), while the maximum level is equal to 1 (for situations of serious global danger, such as a nuclear war). It is important to know how to interpret the DEFCON scale, both for reasons of personal culture and to avoid gross errors, such as saying that the United States has declared a state of defensive readiness equal to 6.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: DEFCON Reference Table
| DEFCON grade | Degrees of Readiness | Historical Previous |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Readiness for peaceful conditions | "Minimum" general grade during peacetime |
| 4 | Enhanced security measures | Used sporadically during the Cold War and the War on Terror |
| 3 | The military's readiness to react has increased beyond normal levels; the aviation is ready to intervene in 15 minutes | After the attacks of 9/11/2001, the Yom Kippur War (1973), during Operation Paul Bunyan (1976), after the Treaty on Berlin (1960) |
| 2 | High degree of readiness, the armed forces are ready to deploy in six hours | Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) |
| 1 | Maximum alert, all armed forces are ready for combat; impending or probable nuclear war | No case |
Part 2 of 3: Understanding the DEFCON Ranks
Step 1. Learn to read the DEFCON scale
It is a way of assigning a numerical value to the degree of readiness for military intervention. The higher numbers are used for the minimum alert levels (during peace situations), while the lower numbers are used to signal the conditions of maximum alert (during moments of greater tension, when the possibility of a military intervention is concrete.). A DEFCON rank of 5 corresponds to normal peacetime, while a DEFCON rank of 1 (which has never been achieved) indicates the most dangerous situation of all, such as thermonuclear warfare.
Remember that each armed force can be alerted to different DEFCON degrees. For example, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, which is generally considered one of the most tense moments in American military history, the Strategic Aviation Command achieved a DEFCON grade of 2, while the rest of the military was alerted. to DEFCON 3
Step 2. Use DEFCON grade 5 for peacetime
This is definitely the best time, as it is used to indicate normality with a minimum level of military alert. At DEFCON 5, the US military does not take large-scale precautionary defensive measures beyond ordinary ones.
Remember that this situation does not necessarily indicate that the whole world is at peace; even in DEFCON 5 there are conflicts that can be very serious; however, the US military does not see them as a threat to the nation
Step 3. Use DEFCON rank 4 in alert situations
This is the first degree above normal and indicates a slight increase in readiness for intervention (although a change from DEFCON 5 to DEFCON 4 is still significant). In this situation there is an increase in the activity of the secret services and, at times, an increase in national security measures. However, it does not mean that the United States is in imminent danger of attack.
Grade 4 is believed to be used at times after minor terrorist attacks and politically motivated assassinations or after possible plots have been discovered. Generally, however, we switch to DEFCON 4 to avoid further violence, as a preventive measure
Step 4. Use DEFCON 3 in situations of military and political tension
In this case we are faced with a serious situation; although there is no immediate risk to the security and integrity of the nation, it is necessary to increase the level of vigilance and alertness. At this grade, US military forces are at a high level of alert and ready for mobilization; in particular, the aviation must guarantee the launch of operations within 15 minutes from the notice. Furthermore, all military communications are encrypted according to the protocols.
Historically, DEFCON grade 3 is used in situations where there is offensive military action against the United States or against one of the allied nations. For example, during Operation Paul Bunyan, two American officers were killed by the North Korean Armed Forces in the Korean Demilitarized Zone. This event led to the declaration of DEFCON Grade 3, as every slightest mistake resulting from this stalemate would cause open warfare along the Korean border (an area of great political and military tension even now)
Step 5. Use DEFCON grade 2 in case of serious threats
When this state of alert is declared, the readiness for action of the military is very high, just below the maximum. The army, air force and other defense forces are ready to intervene within hours. A situation in which it is necessary to declare DEFCON grade 2 is very serious indeed, because there is a real risk of military action against the United States or its allies which could involve the use of nuclear weapons. This degree is used for all situations, especially for more tense international situations from a military point of view.
The most memorable event that led to an increase in the alert rating at DEFCON 2 was that of the Cuban Missile Crisis, although it was limited to Strategic Air Command only. This is thought to have been the only time this alert level was reached, although the dossiers and information regarding DEFCON grades are confidential and it is not known whether it has been declared on other occasions
Step 6. Use DEFCON grade 1 for maximum alert
This indicates the maximum level of military readiness and in this case the defense forces must be able to intervene immediately. DEFCON grade 1 is reserved for the most dangerous and serious situations involving an imminent or protracted nuclear war involving the United States or one of its allies.
- Although, as stated earlier, information involving the DEFCON ranks is kept secret until the situation is resolved, it is thought that the maximum level has never been reached for any military force.
- Some limited and unverified evidence suggests that DEFCON 1 may have been declared for some military units during the first Gulf War. If these rumors were true, however, the alert level would still have affected only a few individual units and not an entire armed force.
Part 3 of 3: Learn more
Step 1. Learn how DEFCON grades are awarded
The exact process that is used by the military for assigning alert levels is not well known by ordinary people. It is generally believed that an increase in military readiness is decided by the Joint Chiefs of Staff (the highest ranking commanders in the US military) with the approval of the President. However, there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that top military leaders can raise the DEFCON rank without the President's consent; for example, some sources claim that Strategic Air Command was brought to DEFCON 2 during the Cuban Missile Crisis without President Kennedy having suggested it.
Remember that the exact protocol that leads the military to raise the DEFCON level is, for obvious reasons, secret. Most of the information about the DEFCON scale that is available to the public is based on old downgraded documents or some revelation released after the facts. Although some non-military and non-governmental sources claim to know the current DEFCON level, there is actually no way to verify it
Step 2. Learn the other US Alert Scales
The DEFCON scale is not the only tool that the US government and military use to classify the state of alert against an internal or external danger. There are the LERTCON scale (for the United States and NATO allies), the REDCON (used by individual US military units) and many others. However, the most important scale beyond the DEFCON is probably the EMERGCON. This is used to classify situations in the event of nuclear war; up to now it has never been used and provides action directives for both civilians and the military. The EMERGCON scale has two levels:
- Defense Emergency: Declared when there are serious attacks on the United States or its allies overseas. It is established by the Unified Command or by a higher authority.
- Air Defense Emergency: Declares in the event of an attack on the United States, Canada or military installations in Greenland. Established by the incumbent commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command.
- By definition, when an EMERGCON Alert Grade is declared, military forces organize themselves according to DEFCON Alert Grade 1.
Step 3. Learn about the origins of the DEFCON scale
Although much of the history of this classification is secret for obvious reasons, there is some downgraded information available to the public that is very fascinating. The DEFCON scale was conceived in the late 1950s to coordinate NORAD's defensive efforts between the United States and Canada, although it has undergone several changes since its creation.
