DEFCON 5, Fade Out Or Blue Alert Level

Defcon 5, or Fade Out is the lowest or normal state of readiness and is also called 'blue alert' status. Defcon 5 means we are at a complete and total state of peace and have no immediate need to be on a high state of alert.

The alert color for Defcon 5 is blue and is also called 'normal readiness'. Some mistakenly believe that condition level 5, or Fade Out is the highest state of readiness and that level 1 is the lowest. This has been driven into popularity as a result of movies depicting Defcon 5, or Fade Out as high alert level and condition 1 as normal or peaceful alert status.

In reality Defcon 5, or Fade Out is the lowest level that can possibly be reached and Defcon 1 is in fact the highest alert condition that can possibly be reached, and the highest state of military readiness.

Defcon 5, or Fade out, being the lowest level of military readiness might mean a total and complete relaxed state such as during peacetime, or the condition could mean that intelligence and forces are on a normal state of alert and normal readiness.