Defcon 1, also called “Defcon One” or “Cocked Pistol” is a maximum defense readiness condition level created in 1959 by the joint chiefs of staff that means nuclear war is imminent.

The department of defense and United States Armed Forces have never before raised the status level to defcon 1 (Defcon one) in the history of the United States since the status level 1 was implemented.

defconlevels