Jeff Cooper's Color System
 

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."


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

From Cooper:

Note again that the Color Code is not an alert system. It is not an index of your personal hazard, but rather a psychological crutch which enables you to overcome your natural reluctance to take possibly lethal action. I have tried to make this point regularly ever since I devised the system, but a great many people still do not get it.

Yellow: TR's base level. Probably same for most QPs I would think.

Orange: TS when the dog was near his kids.

This sounds OODAish to me - like the orientation cloud.

I've also heard of "Black", which is a state of panic where a person is unable to think or act.

I like that.

I've only seen it mentioned in 2nd MarDiv's Enhanced Marksmanship Program, so I'm not sure where it originated. I like the concept of teaching Marines to recognize and avoid the extreme ends of the spectrum, White being a state of total complacency and unawareness, and Black being a state of panic, confusion, and denial. The Division is starting to push this program a lot more, personally I would like to see it receive the kind of emphasis that MCMAP received.

What's MCMAP?

My apologies - Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.

Aaah so. Thanks. I agree, I think mindset needs to be encouraged at all levels. Not nearly enough tradecraft has been taught IMO. I don't know much about the Corps, but I have seen the security guys do some things that make me wonder... I know it wasn't formally taught to SF guys when I was there. You had to learn it from the FOGs.

LOL - I thought for a minute Mickey Ds was giving out roadmaps or something now.:D

You're all going to hate me for mentioning this but...
The color system is based on chakra colors.
I wonder if Jeff Cooper was a buddist? :eek:

The MCMAP program attempts to address teaching Marines close combat mindset and skills, but our Marksmanship training does not, at the moment, do the same thing for shooting skills. EMP could change that by teaching all of the fundamentals of engaging the enemy in close quarters, from mindset to stance to proper wear and placement of equipment. And, of course, how to engage targets. I became a big fan of EMP when I had a rifle platoon, to the point that my Marines became sick of dry-fire presentation drills.

You're right...













I hate you now.:D

Sounds like a winner. They may have hated the drills, but i bet they could shoot.