DEFCON

DEFCON or Defense Readiness Condition is an alert state used by the United States Army. It also indicates how severe a threat could be.

DEFCON can be separated into 5 categories, 5 being average everyday life and 1 being the most ready.

The table below shows the varying levels of readiness.
+Levels of DEFCONReadiness ConditionExercise TermDescriptionReadinessDEFCON 1COCKED PISTOLNuclear war is very soon or has already startedThe most readiness, response happens right nowDEFCON 2FAST PACENear nuclear warArmy ready in less than 6 hoursDEFCON 3ROUND HOUSEHeightened readinessAir Force prepared in 15 minutesDEFCON 4DOUBLE TAKEIncreased watching and stronger securityAbove regular readinessDEFCON 5FADE OUTLowest state of readinessNormal readiness.
Category:United States Army

The U.S has only reached DEFCON 2 once during the Cuban Missile Crisis.