(DoD) A uniform system of progressive alert postures for use between the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the commanders of unified and specified commands and for use by the Services. Defense readiness conditions are graduated to match situations of varying military severity (status of alert). Defense readiness conditions are identified by the short title DEFCON (5), (4), (3), (2), and (1), as appropriate. Also called DEFCON.
Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. 31 January 2011.
| APA | Military Dictionary (DoD). (2011). defense readiness condition. Retrieved September 24, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/defense_readiness_condition/definitions/1961290 |
| Chicago | Military Dictionary (DoD). 2011. "defense readiness condition" http://smartdefine.org/defense_readiness_condition/definitions/1961290 (accessed September 24, 2026). |
| Harvard | Military Dictionary (DoD) 2011, defense readiness condition, Smart Define, viewed 24 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/defense_readiness_condition/definitions/1961290>. |
| MLA | Military Dictionary (DoD). "defense readiness condition" 4 April 2011. Web. 24 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/defense_readiness_condition/definitions/1961290> |