Anyone spend most of their life in Condition Orange?

[OldCavSoldier]

YES! Lee Lapin's discussion is EXCELLENT!!!

In MY experience, there is one color condition after black...Condition Brown = when the bad-guys are all dead or have departed the area, you are down to your last two or three rounds, you have dialed 911 on your cell phone and the cops are on their way, and you desperately need to empty your underwear because you are sitting on the ground or curb due to the case of "rubber legs" that follows five minutes of adrenalin dump.

All humor aside, when OCONUS (Outside Continental US), I am constantly in Orange. When in CONUS, and outside my home or trusted friends' homes (also when in the front or back yards), I am in "Dark Yellow."

When I am inside my own home, with family and the DOGS inside with me, the doors are all locked, a loaded weapon is within quick retrieval of all doors and non-window entry points, and I am in what I call "Piss Pale Yellow" condition. Coming down from Orange is very "peace-inducing" for me, and I can be in various Yellow and feel completely stress free. Of course, there is the experiences of Red and Black (and Brown!!) that I can relate to, and that makes yellow all the more easy.....for me!

Your PTSD will eventually lessen. It will NEVER go away, but, with the help of friends, pastors, loving wife/female, it WILL get easier! I promise!!

 

[bikerdoc]

Mags,

I am no stranger to PTSD, Do I live in orange, no. I too avoid crowds. noise and annoying people, by choice, not fear. How do I deal with it? Situational awareness is a game to me. I am prepared, trained, confident, and relaxed. What to try me skippy? Bring it on. Funny how a mind set and projection of attitude can bring you solice and tranquility. Doesnt stop me from being a good husband, father, and grandfather, either.
Relax your better than you think.

 

[mcdonl]

Situational awareness is a game to me.

Yeah, it's all fun and games until you lose an eye....

People who are alert and aware of their surroundings are not only doing the first step in good self defense but you are also doing your community a service by being a good witness.

 

[Al Thompson]

I lived in Orange for a year and it took me six months to "unwind" to where I appear normal... Mags, shrinks can show you the path, but you've got to walk it. As someone said to me long ago, looking back is fine, just don't stare.

HTH....

 

[kgpcr]

You know when i was in the Marines in combat we never talked crap like CONDITION YELLOW and such. No combat vets would buy into this silly stuff. Keep your eyes open and deal with the problems that may arise. To walk through life on hi alert is a sure sign of paranoia to say the least.

 

[Izzy77]

Kgpcr is about right.

the color code is to simplify the fact that we should all be careful, all the time ( or as much as possible). HYPER- Vigilliance is just symptom of "combat" (in all its forms) , and usually goes away with time...

just like traffic control, the color code is another form of ( fill in the blanks).

 

[JDoe]

You know when i was in the Marines in combat we never talked crap like CONDITION YELLOW and such. No combat vets would buy into this silly stuff.

Yeah, Jeff Cooper what did he know?

Born John Dean Cooper, but known to his friends as "Jeff", Cooper was a Marine Lieutenant Colonel who served in both World War II and the Korean War resigning his commission in 1956.[citation needed] He received a bachelor's degree in political science from Stanford University and, in the mid-1960s, a master's degree in history from the University of California, Riverside.

Jeff Cooper, who taught it at ‘Gunsite’ and later gave an excellent videotaped presentation, first publicized this system, called the Color Code.

I guess the USMC is wrong too.

"The color code explains to Marines what their bodies will go through as they reach different levels of awareness," Alicea said. "If a Marine isn't properly trained, he could go into condition black. In this condition he wouldn't be able to immediately react due to fear."

Keep your eyes open and deal with the problems that may arise.

Yeah, thats it!

To walk through life on hi alert is a sure sign of paranoia to say the least.

Now you are a medical professional too?

ETA: Paranoia is exactly what PTSD is not.

PTSD is something that can't be fully appreciated unless you have it. Calling it "paranoia" is a huge disservice and slap in the face to people that have it.

Here are some links to sites that discuss PTSD for those who want to learn more about it.

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml

And here are some symptoms from the last link

What are the symptoms of PTSD?
Index Previous Page Next Page

PTSD can cause many symptoms. These symptoms can be grouped into three categories:
1. Re-experiencing symptoms:

* Flashbacks—reliving the trauma over and over, including physical symptoms like a racing heart or sweating
* Bad dreams
* Frightening thoughts.

Re-experiencing symptoms may cause problems in a person’s everyday routine. They can start from the person’s own thoughts and feelings. Words, objects, or situations that are reminders of the event can also trigger re-experiencing.
2. Avoidance symptoms:

* Staying away from places, events, or objects that are reminders of the experience
* Feeling emotionally numb
* Feeling strong guilt, depression, or worry
* Losing interest in activities that were enjoyable in the past
* Having trouble remembering the dangerous event.

Things that remind a person of the traumatic event can trigger avoidance symptoms. These symptoms may cause a person to change his or her personal routine. For example, after a bad car accident, a person who usually drives may avoid driving or riding in a car.
3. Hyperarousal symptoms:

* Being easily startled
* Feeling tense or “on edge”
* Having difficulty sleeping, and/or having angry outbursts.

Hyperarousal symptoms are usually constant, instead of being triggered by things that remind one of the traumatic event. They can make the person feel stressed and angry. These symptoms may make it hard to do daily tasks, such as sleeping, eating, or concentrating.

It’s natural to have some of these symptoms after a dangerous event. Sometimes people have very serious symptoms that go away after a few weeks. This is called acute stress disorder, or ASD. When the symptoms last more than a few weeks and become an ongoing problem, they might be PTSD. Some people with PTSD don’t show any symptoms for weeks or months.

 

[Jonah71]

In condition white at home (but always armed). That way during the week while here in my office at church and usually around town. Very peaceful and non threatening community. Tend to stay away from situations requiring orange....unless job takes me to unfamiliar surroundings, dangerous neighborhoods or large cities. Life is good. I just keep my good eye open and have made it a habit to pay attention to what's going on around me. But not what I'd call "condition yellow." I still share X-Raps habit of facing the door with my back to the wall in public though. That's not paranoid...just smart. imo.

 

[BCC]

I spend a lot of time on motorcycles and have for many years. I am aware of my surroundings. Beats crashing.

But I would describe myself as condition white. I'm aware of my surroundings, but not worrying about threats. Unless I'm engaging in risky behavior.

Life is too short to live in fear or to worry about every remote possibility. Stay fit, stay mentally sharp and stay engaged. You'll be fine.

 

[Webbj0219]

The color codes are just a really good way of simplifying this. Like when i read the book on psychology they used a 1-10 scale to make the illustrations. I just converted it in a way to the color codes. I think that makes it a lil simpler and easier to grasp. Its only a system, if it doesnt work for you then dont use it. For me it helps me figure whats going on. You could say its sortof a mental tool. Like a power screw gun, if your better with just a phillips head screwdriver then dont use the drill. But I think many people when the get using the drill down they are like it better.

 

[devildog32713]

But I would describe myself as condition white. I'm aware of my surroundings, but not worrying about threats.

Wrong, aware of your surroundings=condition yellow according to my Tactical Edge book, condition white is daydreaming, not thinking,

 

[okespe04]

I don't know where to put myself. I am not a worrier at all. I'm pretty mellow most of the time, I do plenty of daydreaming, work hard, relax a lot, enjoy hobbies, family etc etc. I don't spend a lot of time thinking about home invasions, personal attacks, or shtf zombie land scenarios.

I do however own a small arsenal, carry a gun every day, train, run drills, watch videos on tactics and strategies, practice clearing my house from time to time, and go shooting once or twice and month or so. I think all this actually makes it easier to live in condition white or whatever you want to call it. When my little dream world falls apart I will be ready to the best of my current ability. That in itself is a very relaxing thought.

 

[Oyeboten]

Hi The Prof,


Thanks for answering my question.

You'd relayed -

Condition White = Distracted. Thinking about other things. (That's 80% of the population.)

Condition Yellow = Practicing situational awareness. It's the same mindset as "defensive driving." No particular threat is identified yet. This is the mindset that you need when out and about.

Condition Orange = A particular POSSIBLE threat is identified. Your mind is going through possible outcomes and defensive countermeasures. Example: You think to yourself, "hey, that guy in the corner looks suspicious and is eyeing me. If you takes a step in my direction, I will move in this direction, etc.)

Condition Red= Attack is imminent. It is clear that the suspected bad guy has bad intentions for you. Example: Verbal threat, cutting off your path and restricting your movement, a weapon is visible, etc. Any of those would definitely be condition red.

Condition Black = Bullets are flying in your direction. At this point, you should not be thinking about what color code you are facing. Move off the "X", seek cover, return fire.

Those are my humble interpretations of the "color system". Others may have slight variations.

In 'Nature', I doubt any Creature is ever in 'Condition White' unless very ill.


Condition Yellow, IS "Life"...is responsibility, is how one stays on a Bicycle or drives a Car for that matter, even if one's central attention wanders, one's deeper and peripheral attentions are none-the-less at-the-helm, and riding point.

Not that all one's 'focus' is being narrowed - some is narrowed, while the rest is 'fanned out'...Radar sweeps, scenting the Winds, listening, registering 'pings', 'presences', anticipations, trajectories, interpreting subtle cues...all of it.

'White' is amentia, coma, abdication...would not occur without systemic/endemic damage or toxemia or other heavy 'damping'.


Baby Birds, no matter the Species, if a Jet passes high over head...they become silent, they becdome very still, and, their Heads are turned to watch it pointedly...

If not so high and far up, if close, private plane or helicopter, then likewise, only then, they also 'hug' whatever they are on or in....trying to make themselves 'flat'.


Birds are always in 'Yellow' as baseline...with 'Orange' seldom far.


Me too...

Nothing paranoid or 'worried' or stressing about it.

Just being alert, aware, being response-able.


3:00 A.M., focused on my Work, the tiniest hint of the scent of Woodsmoke from Doug Fir...I pause, walk around, focused now in that - I go outside, test the Wind direction with a lighter...almost no wind, but, I go then upwind, and, a few door up, find neighbors Building has small flames dancing on the Roof...so...


Like that - some of one's awareness is always 'fanned out' no matter how much one is otherwise 'focused' on something else.


Merely an attribute of any healthy Organism.

 

[Lou McGopher]

I don't trust anyone I don't know, I absolutely hate crowds, and I never go anywhere during "peak hours" like the weekend.

Disclaimer: I'm not a mental health professional.

I would recommend you try to get acclimated to these things that bother you. Rationally, you know that it's unlikely you'll encounter a violent situation, but the way you feel doesn't match what you know. I would gradually, systematically, increase your involvement with strangers, being in crowds, and giving some trust to people you don't know.

And I would say you've already taken a step toward that last part... you don't know us, but you've put some trust in us to help you out with this personal issue.

Look at getting involved in some community or charitable projects. This is usually a good way to meet a lot of people with positive attitudes. This could be an early step, as you're dealing with a group of strangers, but a group that you've selected, which could help lessen the anxiety.
Try to be more and more outgoing. Greet people you see or pass by in public. Usually (except maybe in places like NYC), you'll get a positive response, which should make you feel better about these people you don't know. It also gives you the initiative in the encounter. You say Hi, and you decide if you leave it at that and keep walking, or if you're going to strike up a conversation about the weather or whatever.

And I'm not fond of crowds either; I find them annoying usually. But I can enjoy crowds when it's gathered for a reason I like, such as at a ball game or political rally. Look for gatherings where there can be a positive-feedback loop of good energy, so to speak. You and everyone else in the crowd are all rooting for the same cause. Your positive attitude joins the positive attitudes of those around you, and their positive attitudes increase your positivity.

 

[BullfrogKen]

 

[Kindrox]

Inside my house we are pretty comfortable, in large part because we put resources on being secure. Same with the job, I work for a large company and generally things are pretty quiet here.

Outside the house and work, I am very aware of my surroundings and I'll get on my wife if she misses obvious people who need watching or does not react sensibly.

 

[xXxplosive]

Lived in Orange........worked in Newark, New Jersey for 20 yrs. Went to RED twice, no shots fired.
Now inside the house I'm in Tangerene, Orange/yellow combo.....outside, Orange always.......

 

[230therapy]

Yes, it's called "looking around" when out and about and focusing upon probable threats.

 

[shadowalker]

If I'm awake I'm usually in yellow but it isn't disturbing to me. I shift between yellow and orange frequently.

I've experienced quite a few interesting situations and am a very relaxed, easy going but alert and prepared person.

 

[devildog32713]

Condition Yellow, IS "Life"...is responsibility, is how one stays on a Bicycle or drives a Car for that matter, even if one's central attention wanders, one's deeper and peripheral attentions are none-the-less at-the-helm, and riding point.

Agreed

 

[T. Bracker]

No,

Get better professional help. Not saying that to be mean.

 

[w_houle]

No. I do recall being "Condition white": I have a tendency of walking into things when I have been there. Mostly it's due to over focusing on what's in my hand, and usually something I'm being rushed on.
I always make eye contact and acknowledge others, stay out of corners, avoid going between people and objects/ walls. I spend small amounts of time at local shops so to make my home trip at different times and on varied routes so I don't take the same route home at the same time.
I don't know what condition you'd call it, but that's me.

 

[kgpcr]

Jdoe what did they teach you when you were in the Corps? Were you in the Corps or just read an article about it? Just wondering because the years i was in and the trigger time i spent no one ever talked the color bull****. Life depended on being alert and aware. the worst was what you call "condition orange" where you got fixated on one or two peeps and got tunnel vision. I mean no disrespect to PTSD people. But it is an illness. (I would NEVER diss a fellow combat vet.) So is going through life paranoid. People who have never been in combat and they wont sit at a nice resturaunt unless its in a corner is being paranoid. Could some one come in and shoot them?? yes but i could win the lottery as well. Hell i could get hit by a falling meteriorite but that does not mean i worry about it. i refuse to go though live looking around every corner for a possible trouble maker. I will instead go my merry way use common sense, be aware and if i need to dance well then we will dance. Use common sense, be alert and you will be fine. You may have to dance but if you used common sense and are alert the odds are very very slim at best. I dont have iron door frames but i do have a .45 XD in my night stand. thats all i need to sleep like a baby at night. If some one breaks in i will take care of business

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Yeah, Jeff Cooper what did he know?

What did he know or what did he know about? It isn't as if he had a lot of direct battlefield experience. What he did was to synthesize a lot of information gleaned from others into succinct concepts.

 

[JLtZD]

I have to wonder if some of the people saying they live outside in condition orange (and are not suffering from PTSD or paranoia) are following a different color code or are LEOs in Oakland.

I think that if you are comfortable in your own skin and allow yourself to be naturally aware of your environment you can daydream quite safely while trusting your subconscious to snap you into yellow or orange as needed.

I am not saying you should drive that way, but who hasn't gotten home on 'autopilot' before?

Not sure if this helps the OP in any way, but I find that the real key to self-security is to get to a mental state where you no longer react to bad situations with a question first.

An example: How many times have you been driving with someone and when they are clearly about to get cut off they say 'Is that person going to cut me off?' instead of simply making the necessary actions to avoid the impending accident and then talking about it later after the danger is passed?

Many accidents/victims are caused by people reacting to a threat with a question instead of an action. 'Why is that person running at me?' 'Is that car going to stop?' 'Is he really going to hit me in front of that security guard?' 'What is that thing falling towards me?'

If you have thought out a simple list of common reactions and have mentally rehearsed them in your mind you can let yourself relax more knowing that you have them on tap if needed.

If there is a loud noise in my backyard in the middle of the night I wake up, scoop up my flashlight and firearm, and tell my wife that I am going to check on it with the dogs without ever rising above yellow. If I were to actually find evidence of a threat I would naturally get to orange immediately.

My point is, while I was sleeping I was in about as deep a 'white' as you can get, my subconscious alerted me that something wasn't right and I had no problem escalating to yellow and potentially orange at that time, as needed.

I bet you sleep at night, and I bet you wake up when there is potential trouble and find it really easy to get into orange. You could do that from yellow while awake in exactly the same way. Maybe think of walking around in yellow as being the same as sleeping in white. You've proven you can get into orange when you need it. No questions asked.

I may not be making sense, I'm no shrink, just a tired guy with a headcold who should be asleep.