Situational Awareness Day 2019

I’ve maintained that we are ripe in this country for another terrorist event. I’m not negative or pessimistic, just trying to be realistic. Every passing day gets closer to one. I know that since 9-11 there have been many safeguards put into place. I do agree that there needed to be more vigilance. But the odds are not with us. There are 326 million people in this country. Our borders are pretty open and the chances of someone slipping across to do evil gets higher all the time. Our intelligence community and law enforcement are very good. They have stopped much, but like the drug war, something always gets through. This is why the government gives us this advice:

“We urge Americans to continue to travel, attend public events, and freely associate with others but remain vigilant and aware of surroundings.”
“Be responsible for your personal safety.”

National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin, September 14, 2018, Department of Homeland Security
I was in a situation many years ago in a foreign land that taught me about the importance of situational awareness. I was with two other guys transporting ammo cans full of ammo to another location to some other guys who really needed it. One of us three was sent as security because me and one other had our hands full. We rounded a turn and almost ran into an enemy patrol of 9 guys. Our security guy was where he was supposed to be doing what he was supposed to be doing and we ended up taking out all 9 of these guys. If it were not for his attention and awareness I would not be writing in this post. Also, besides our security guy being aware we were able to drop our load and raise our rifles before the enemy even had their weapons up. They paid the price for being in white, and we reaped the blessing of being in red.
For a review here are the Cooper Color Codes again:
Condition White
Completely unprepared and unaware of your surroundings. In Condition White you may be in deadly danger and not realize it.
If you are attacked in Condition White, you are unlikely to be able to effectively respond and you may be seriously injured or killed.
Condition Yellow
State of relaxed alertness and situational awareness. In Condition Yellow although you are not aware of any specific situation that may call for immediate action, you know that you may have to defend yourself today.
You understand that the world is full of hazards, many of which are human, and that your readiness to take defensive action can mitigate these threats. If you are attacked in Condition Yellow, you will probably prevail if you are armed and may be able to take effective action even if unarmed.
Condition Orange
In Condition Orange, you become alert to the possibility deadly threat in your immediate environment. In Condition Orange you understand that you may have to shoot a specific threat, right now, today.
At this point your normal reluctance becomes easier to overcome because your training tells you that someone is threatening to use unlawful deadly force against you or another innocent. You begin actively looking for threat indicators and start conscious analysis and assessments of potential threats.
Although you remain cognizant of the legal and moral aspects of the situation, you focus your mind on the possible need for immediate defensive action. Looking deep — what’s in their hands? Are they looking at you or past you? Can you safely leave the area? Should you?
Your hand may establish a firing grip on the pistol, you may draw the pistol at home, but probably not in the shopping mall or other crowded public place. The actions of that threat — standing right there — dictate your next moves.
Condition Red
You have drawn your pistol because you are justified in taking the threat at gunpoint; you can articulate why this is so.
In Condition Red, you have decided to act the instant the threat’s behavior warrants an immediate response. You wait for a trigger or take other lifesaving actions as the totality of the circumstances dictate.
It’s always good to review these conditions.
National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin, January 18, 2019, Department of Homeland Security
“Be responsible for your personal safety. Know where emergency exits and security personnel are located. Carry emergency contact and special needs information with you.”
My wife has said it is not easy being married to me. I wouldn’t think that it would be. My experience in the military and serving in combat has made me a different person. She is different because of being married to me. Teaching your family situational awareness can be lifesaving. But it is not “main stream” American living. Some say it is paranoia. Preparedness is not paranoia. Although with my PTSD you can never tell…
Don’t forget that next Thursday is National Situational Awareness Day! (26 SEP 2019)
And September is National Preparedness Month. Even the government is saying that we should be prepared!

Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn