Condition Yellow

P

P&R Fan

Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Messages
5,456
Reaction score
3,536
Location
NE Iowa
All of us know the color codes of awareness promulgated by Jeff Cooper. For those who don't here it is:
Condition White: A state of oblivion to one's surroundings
Condition Yellow: A relaxed state of awareness of things happening in your environment.
Condition Orange: A heightened sense of possible danger that you are keeping an eye on.
Condition Red: The danger is real, and you are engaged in possible combat.

Those of us who carry, if we are smart, stay in Condition Yellow. We are not paranoid, we are just paying attention to what is going on.
Today Missus Fan and I went downtown. I just had to step inside a building for a few seconds. Left her in the car, with the motor running. I was probably in there for less than 30 seconds. Came back out and two very scruffy guys were walking directly to the car on the drivers side. I was walking towards them across the street. I looked at them and they suddenly veered off and avoided the car. They got within about six feet of it. I got in and mentioned it to Missus Fan. She was watching them too, and wondering what to do if they tried anything on her. All they did was see me walking toward the car, in a totally unthreatening manner, and they turned on a dime. Yes, I was carrying. My 2" nickle Combat Masterpiece and my M340PD. Both were concealed.
I ain't a big mean lookin' guy. Apparently these guys didn't want a confrontation. I'm just glad I was in Condition Yellow.:cool:
Jim
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
Great outcome to your story! But, Jeff Cooper did not promulgate the "Condition Color Code". During WW II in England, the US Army Air Force management was bombarded daily (a pun) by the pilots on the next day's flight log by questions directed to 'are we going, or is there a chance that the weather will prevent us from going?' The leaders of the bombing command came up with the color condition code to stop all of the time wasting questions. A color card of the current prognosis was posted in the windows of the Tower and of Command Headquarters. Mr. Cooper picked up the color condition code and transferred it into personal awareness/situation code. ............ Big Cholla
 
Good for you for keeping your eyes open and safeguarding your wife. I try to stay "tuned in" to my surroundings on a consistent basis, especially when w/my wife or grandkids. Most bad guys are tuned in too, but they're looking for an easy mark so keep your eyes open.
 
I actually try and stay in Orange when walking around an area outside my home. Or at least something more than yellow, IMO.

Another thing worth mentioning is that it is a federal crime to carry inside a post office. Recent court decisions have overturned their longheld authority over even having one in your car in the parking lot (previously you were not so allowed), but you still cannot carry inside the PO. I know concealed is concealed, but if someone spots it, you are in for it and there is no defense.
 
Big Cholla said:
Great outcome to your story! But, Jeff Cooper did not promulgate the "Condition Color Code". During WW II in England, the US Army Air Force management was bombarded daily (a pun) by the pilots on the next day's flight log by questions directed to 'are we going, or is there a chance that the weather will prevent us from going?' The leaders of the bombing command came up with the color condition code to stop all of the time wasting questions. A color card of the current prognosis was posted in the windows of the Tower and of Command Headquarters. Mr. Cooper picked up the color condition code and transferred it into personal awareness/situation code. ............ Big Cholla
Click to expand...

Neat bit of info. My uncle flew the Hump. He and the other pilots liked the bad weather. Orange card I guess. No Zeros in bad conditions. Lotsa moumtain peaks, but no Jap Zeros.
 
SJshooter said:
Recent court decisions have overturned their longheld authority over even having one in your car in the parking lot (previously you were not so allowed), but you still cannot carry inside the PO.
Click to expand...
What "recent court decisions" are you referring to? Got a link?

As far as I'm aware, it's still a federal crime to carry in the post office or on the grounds of a post office. 39 CFR 232.1 l
 
Post office not withstanding, good job P&R Fan.

Most of the time, just making them aware that you're aware of them is the key to avoiding any kind of confrontation. "They" want to prey on the unsuspecting. By being aware, and letting them know you're aware, they tend to look for easier prey.
 
Rastoff said:
Post office not withstanding, good job P&R Fan.

Most of the time, just making them aware that you're aware of them is the key to avoiding any kind of confrontation. "They" want to prey on the unsuspecting. By being aware, and letting them know you're aware, they tend to look for easier prey.
Click to expand...

Any miscreants are already in the ne'er-do-well version of Condition Yellow already when they're looking for a mark. I don't have proof, but I can think of several times that making eye contact and walking or acting in a purposeful manner changed the demeanor of someone who was potentially a threat. The world is a target-rich environment for criminals. It makes no sense for them to gamble if they sense something is not right.
 
I try to consciously stay aware of my surroundings, especially when leaving my car in a parking lot/area to go into a store or building, or when returning to my car. I'll admit that sometimes I am preoccupied and probably not having as much situational awareness as I should have. But I am constantly amazed at the large percentage of people who seem to be totally unaware of what is happening around them. The most common culprit is the smart phone or tablet that they are so intently focusing on, but it can also be that they are with other people and so focused on the conversation between them that nothing would likely alert them to danger until it was too late. I don't know how many times my wife has said to me "what's wrong?" as she sees me turning my head and checking all around us as we are walking down the street or in a parking lot, etc. and I reply "nothing wrong, just looking around us".

Once, not very long ago, while returning to my car at the local mall I saw two young men sort of loitering around about two car lengths from where I was parked. I maintained eye contact and put my right hand into my pocket where I keep my firearm. They were looking at me but never did anything threatening and I will never know if my awareness and the placement of my hand in a pocket stopped a potential crime from taking place, but I can assure you I felt a lot more confident by having that 640 in my pocket holster.
 
CAJUNLAWYER said:
Don't forget condition brown. When you are in condition white and the bad guy suddenly appears in your space you go immediately to condition brown. From there it's game on.
Click to expand...

I was visiting with a half dozen WWII vets one day in the hall. They were talking about how scared they were at times in combat. Finally one guy turned to his buddy and said " If blood were brown we'd all have Purple Hearts ".
 
Big Cholla said:
Great outcome to your story! But, Jeff Cooper did not promulgate the "Condition Color Code". During WW II in England, the US Army Air Force management was bombarded daily (a pun) by the pilots on the next day's flight log by questions directed to 'are we going, or is there a chance that the weather will prevent us from going?' The leaders of the bombing command came up with the color condition code to stop all of the time wasting questions. A color card of the current prognosis was posted in the windows of the Tower and of Command Headquarters. Mr. Cooper picked up the color condition code and transferred it into personal awareness/situation code. ............ Big Cholla
Click to expand...

So in essence - as it applies to OUR use of it....Jeff Cooper did promulgate the Color Code.
 
Does it matter who invented this concept of awareness? Or who assigned colors to it? Cooper taught 4 levels, Front Sight teaches 5 levels, Cooper used colors and the NRA uses words. Meh, it's all just perspective. What's important is what you do with it.

Personally I like the way the NRA does it; Unaware, Aware, Alert and Alarm. The words are better descriptors of what condition you're in.
 
I often have my wife wait in the car while I make a quick stop someplace. I always make sure she has locked the doors before I step away. In the event anyone unsavory (it has not yet happened) tries anything, there is a loaded pistol in the unlocked glove box right in front of her. Should I return while they are in the act...I am also armed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

chiefdave
  • Locked
Glock carry condition
2 3 4
Replies
62
Views
4K
Cal44
C
sigp220.45
Condition Zero, aka Cocked And Unlocked
2 3 4
Replies
61
Views
2K
Muley Gil
M
2
M&P Pro 9 Carry Condition
Replies
14
Views
2K
Hapworth
H
J
Condition One? Different question.
Replies
6
Views
863
Rastoff
Rastoff
D
CC in National Parks - Yellow Stone/Badlands
Replies
5
Views
1K
427mach1
427mach1

Latest posts

Back
Top