Quick Comparison
| Aspect | DEFCON | FPCON |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Defense Readiness Condition | Force Protection Condition |
| Purpose | Military readiness for war | Protection against terrorism |
| Primary Focus | Nuclear/major war | Terrorist threats |
| Scale | 5 (low) to 1 (high) | Normal to Delta |
| Created | Confirmed: 1959 | Confirmed: 1987 (as THREATCON) |
| Authority | Confirmed: Joint Chiefs of Staff | Confirmed: Combatant Commanders |
| Visibility | Mostly classified | Visible at installations |
DEFCON Explained
DEFCON is the military alert system for wartime readiness, specifically for nuclear conflict scenarios.
DEFCON Levels
| Level | Codename | Readiness |
|---|---|---|
| DEFCON defcon_levels |
Key Characteristics of DEFCON
- Primarily concerns nuclear forces and major military operations
- Set at the national level by the President/Secretary of Defense
- Different commands can be at different levels
- Specific levels are typically classified
- Highest confirmed level ever: DEFCON 2 (Cuban Missile Crisis, Desert Storm)
For more details, see our full guide: What is DEFCON?
FPCON Explained
FPCON (formerly THREATCON) is the terrorist threat advisory system for military installations.
FPCON Levels
| Level | Threat Level | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| NORMAL | No known threat | Routine security measures |
| ALPHA | General threat | Increased security, random checks |
| BRAVO | Increased/specific threat | Additional security personnel, ID checks |
| CHARLIE | Incident occurred or imminent threat | Significant security increase, restricted access |
| DELTA | Terrorist attack occurred or expected | Maximum security, possible lockdown |
Key Characteristics of FPCON
- Focuses specifically on terrorist threats to military personnel and installations
- Can be set locally by base commanders or regionally by combatant commanders
- Often visible to military families and visitors (signs at base entrances)
- Changed more frequently than DEFCON
- After 9/11, most U.S. bases remained at FPCON Bravo or higher for extended periods
Historical Name
FPCON was previously called THREATCON (Threat Condition). The name was changed in 2001 to better reflect its force protection mission.
Other U.S. Alert Systems
INFOCON (Information Operations Condition)
- Measures threat to computer networks and information systems
- Scale: 5 (Normal) to 1 (Maximum)
- Created in response to growing cyber threats
WATCHCON (Watch Condition)
- Used by intelligence community
- Measures monitoring intensity of specific threats
- Often classified
LERTCON (Alert Condition)
- Air defense alert status
- Determines readiness of interceptor aircraft
Homeland Security Advisory System
- Civilian system (now replaced by NTAS)
- The famous color-coded system (2002-2011)
- Now uses National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between DEFCON and FPCON?
DEFCON measures overall military readiness for war (especially nuclear war) while FPCON measures the terrorist threat to military installations. They can be at different levels simultaneously - for example, DEFCON might be at 4 (normal) while FPCON is at Bravo (increased terrorist threat).
What is the current FPCON level?
FPCON levels vary by location and can change frequently. Most U.S. military installations post their current FPCON level at base entrances. Since 9/11, many installations have remained at FPCON Bravo or higher. Specific levels may be classified or not announced.
Can DEFCON and FPCON be different at the same time?
Yes, absolutely. They measure different types of threats. The U.S. could be at DEFCON 5 (normal) for nuclear war readiness while simultaneously at FPCON Charlie (high terrorist threat) at military bases. Each system operates independently based on its specific threat assessment.