Jeff Cooper's Color System

[NousDefionsDoc]

We refer to this frequently, and so I thought it might make an interesting topic for discussion. I don't know the dude that wrote this, but it seems like a fairly good explanation, plus the lecture.

The Color Code


I've been frequently asked about the Gunsite Color Code. Nowadays, just about everyone is familiar with the "color code" used by the government to indicate terrorist threat level. However, the color code as originally introduced by Jeff Cooper, had nothing to do with tactical situations or alertness levels, but rather with one's state of mind. As taught by Jeff, it relates to the degree of peril you are willing to do something about and which allows you to move from one level of mindset to another to enable you to properly handle a given situation.

A lethal confrontation is not something anyone expects, and this code allows you to have a sequence you can work with to prepare you for "something bad." Jeff doesn't claim to have invented anything in particular with the color code, but he has definitely spread the word about it.

The color code defines four different mental states. Why four? Because three doesn't adequately cover the needed range and five simply adds an unneeded level. The four colors used are white, yellow, orange, and red.

Here it is straight from the famous "Wednesday lecture."


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White - Relaxed, unaware, and unprepared. If attacked in this state the only thing that may save you is the inadequacy and ineptitude of your attacker. When confronted by something nasty your reaction will probably be, "Oh my God! This can't be happening to me."

Yellow - Relaxed alert. No specific threat situation. Your mindset is that "today could be the day I may have to defend myself." There is no specific threat but you are aware that the world is an unfriendly place and that you are prepared to do something if necessary. You use your eyes and ears, and your carriage says "I am alert." You don't have to be armed in this state but if you are armed you must be in yellow. When confronted by something nasty your reaction will probably be, "I thought this might happen some day." You can live in this state indefinitely.

Orange - Specific alert. Something not quite right has gotten your attention and you shift your primary focus to that thing. Something is "wrong" with a person or object. Something may happen. Your mindset is that "I may have to shoot that person." Your pistol is usually holstered in this state. You can maintain this state for several hours.

Red - Fight. This is your mental trigger. "If that person does "x" I will shoot them." Your pistol may, but not necessarily, be in your hand.