The Cooper Alert Codes and the Spiritual Warrior

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)

Many of our men move blissfully through life totally unaware of the potential danger present in various sectors of their environment. Some of these sectors would be health, financial, physical injury, spiritual, social, as well as the more familiar criminal sector. Military and law enforcement schools often teach a system of alert color codes to give personnel a method to face and deal with the dangers they will encounter from enemy/criminal activity. This essay is designed to give the spiritual warrior a brief introduction to this methodology. It can also serve as a pattern for contending more effectively in the spiritual warfare arena as well as contending with life’s challenges in general.

This methodology was developed by John Dean “Jeff” Cooper who served with the Marines in the Pacific during World War 2, rejoined the Marines to fight in the Korean War, and left the service with the rank of Lt. Colonel. Cooper subsequently became internationally known for his firearms expertise and development of the shooting system known as “Modern Technique”. Cooper had a passion for training individuals in what has generally become known as “situational awareness” or SA. His basic technique was very simple and centered on an escalating alert color code scale. These color codes are described briefly below:

White: Unaware and unprepared. OMG. Some typical examples of this: Someone walking along the sidewalk while texting or perhaps a couple out for the evening and among the public but totally unaware of those around them; the increasingly prevalent situation of the operator of a motor vehicle texting while driving. These are the same people who walk into open manhole covers, have their purses stolen, or drive their vehicles into other vehicles, restaurants, or pedestrians. These are often the same unaware daydreamers who are targeted by criminals simply because they are “low hanging fruit”. If attacked while in condition White, the only thing that may save you is the ineptitude of your attacker or weakness of the threat. Emergency room statistics will show that most folks there are condition “White” types.

Yellow: Relaxed alert. No specific threat. You are simply aware of your surroundings and the fact that this is a potentially dangerous and unfriendly world. It will also enable you to recognize the need to assist a family member, friend, or total stranger. You can maintain this condition indefinitely because it is such low intensity. When in condition Yellow, which should be most of your waking hours, it is difficult to surprise you therefore it is difficult to harm you. You use your eyes, ears, discernment, your “gut” etc., as early warning sensors. You are not paranoid…just aware of your surroundings and particularly the actions of those around you. You are aware that you might have to defend yourself or take action on new information. Anything or anyone that appears unusual---conversation, correspondence, conduct--- out of place, or out of context should be monitored until properly assessed as a threat. If an actual threat is detected, then you shift gears to Orange.

Orange: Specific alert. Something is not quite right and has your attention. Because you have been alerted, you are actually in less danger. When the threat is another vehicle you have the advantage but must quickly respond accordingly. When the threat is a person, be aware of body language, demeanor, actions, clothing, and any verbal communication. When the threat is financial, health, relational, etc. pause and assess. Remaining in Orange for some time is not a problem but it can be a mental strain. Remain calm and confident. In condition Orange it is imperative that you rehearse your options…your possible actions. You then set a mental trigger...“If this person or threat does this, then I do this”. In my view Orange is most critical because of its position between Yellow and Red. When a genuine threat is detected, you shift gears to Red.

Red: Fight or flight…no hesitation. Your main enemy may not be the threat, financial, health, relational, etc., but your own reaction time. However, by gearing up through the alert codes, reaction time has become your ally. In condition Red, you have already rehearsed your options, perhaps in seconds, minutes, even days…but you have a plan. You are mentally prepared to act, but the situation may not require action. Criminal predators can readily determine that you are not “low hanging fruit” and will normally move on looking for a condition White victim to “pluck”.

As you operate in the Cooper Alert Codes you should be aware that the most important factor is not the weapon (if you carry one) nor the warrior’s martial skills but rather the “combat mindset”. The Samurai would say it like this, “A warrior who wears two swords at his side but does not put the spirit of combat in his heart is nothing but a peasant wearing the skin of a warrior” Code of the Samurai Now try this analogy, “the Christian who carries two Bibles to church/Bible study”…

Translating the mostly martial language above into everyday life and spiritual warfare scenarios should be relatively easy. For instance, try it the next time you take a short drive or the next time you drive on an Interstate or shop in a mall. Sometimes we must break bad habits in order to from good habits.

I encourage you to do just that and do it with a family member or friend. Talk about “SA” with your Bible Study group. Think about using the alert codes in all applicable life arenas. The protection of yourself and loved ones from threats residing in health, financial, physical injury, social, criminal, and yes, spiritual arenas can be enhanced by using the Cooper Color Code Alerts.

For as he thinks in his heart so is he. Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)

Note:(1) It is recommended that you also familiarize yourself with The OODA Loop…Observe-Orient-Decide-Act. It was originally developed by Col John Boyd, a fighter pilot, to enhance decision making. The OODA Loop is now taught in many business and law schools for the same purpose. Just plug the acronym into a search engine and enjoy your read. Now that you have SA and OODA Loop, your effectiveness in the spiritual warfare realm and your success as your encounter life’s many challenges will be enhanced.

Barney Barnes, Warrior Spirit Ministries, 19 August 2013