Situational Awareness: Living in the Yellow

🛡️ Grizzly Tactics & Security

Train Hard. Stay Ready. Protect What Matters.

Situational Awareness: Living in the Yellow

At Grizzly Tactics & Security, we believe preparedness starts long before you draw a weapon or enter a defensive posture. It starts with awareness — a commitment to staying alert, tuned-in, and ready to respond.

Whether you’re protecting a client, walking your family to the car, or just grabbing a cup of coffee, maintaining your edge begins with situational awareness.

🧠 The Cooper Color Code: Your Mental State of Readiness

The Cooper Color Code, developed by the legendary Colonel Jeff Cooper, breaks awareness down into four mental conditions. These aren’t about external threats — they’re about your internal mindset:

• White – Unaware and unprepared. This is the person staring at their phone or daydreaming. In Condition White, you're a soft target — plain and simple.

• Yellow – Relaxed alert. This is where we train our clients to live. You’re calm, but observant. You scan your surroundings, maintain awareness of entrances, exits, and body language — without paranoia.

• Orange – Focused alert. Something feels off. You’ve identified a potential threat and begun assessing options. Your attention is locked in, and you're mentally ready to act.

• Red – Action mode. The threat is confirmed. You are now executing your defensive plan — whether that means de-escalation, movement, or engagement.

Some add a “Condition Black” to the list — total mental shutdown. At Grizzly Tactics, we train to never reach that point.

🟡 Condition Yellow: The Professional's Baseline

Living in Condition Yellow means you’re not reacting to danger — you're ready for it. You stay calm, deliberate, and focused. It’s the mindset of trained professionals and responsible protectors.

In this state:

• You stay aware of people’s hands, not just faces.

• You scan for exits, cover, and odd behaviors.

• You trust your instincts when something “feels off.”

It’s not about living in fear. It’s about being mentally prepared to handle the unexpected.

🔍 Not All Anomalies Are Threats — But All Threats Are Anomalies

This is a key principle we teach: Not every anomaly is a threat… but every threat is an anomaly.

Your job — whether you’re a CCW holder, a protector, or a parent — is to spot anomalies early. That heavy jacket in 90-degree heat? That person pacing near a doorway? That bag no one claims?

Might be nothing.

Might be everything.

By identifying what doesn’t fit, you give yourself time — and in any critical incident, time is your most valuable asset.

🦍 Grizzly Mindset: Awareness is a Lifestyle

Carrying a firearm doesn’t make you safe — awareness does. Your mindset is your first line of defense, your greatest force multiplier, and your constant companion.

At Grizzly Tactics & Security, we train warriors, protectors, and professionals to master the mental game first — because if your head isn’t in the right place, it doesn’t matter what’s on your hip.

Stay alert. Stay disciplined. Stay in the Yellow.

🛡️ Grizzly Tactics & Security Security Training • Defensive Mindset • Real-World Readiness www.grizzlytactics.com