National Defence
The phrase alert state is used in milieu variously although in a capitalized form the reference is of an indication of the state of readiness of the armed forces for military action or a State against terrorism or military attack.The term frequently used is on High Alert Examples are the DEFCON levels of the US armed forces, probably indicating some degree within DEFCON:2 to DEFCON:4,possibly DEFCON:1 classified with the words as high alert .
The British government's UK Threat Levels, probably including the highest three levels of five, these being classified as substantial,severe and critical. Both highest positions within the classification are synonymous with red alert. All these of course rely on an understanding of the word alert, which is also originally relevant to a type of military activity, within the earliest recorded usage.
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Famous quotes containing the words national and/or defence:
“While I do not think it was so intended I have always been of the opinion that this turned out to be much the best for me. I had no national experience. What I have ever been able to do has been the result of first learning how to do it. I am not gifted with intuition. I need not only hard work but experience to be ready to solve problems. The Presidents who have gone to Washington without first having held some national office have been at great disadvantage.”
—Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933)
“Behold now this vast city; a city of refuge, the mansion house of liberty, encompassed and surrounded with his protection; the shop of war hath not there more anvils and hammers waking, to fashion out the plates and instruments of armed justice in defence of beleaguered truth, than there be pens and hands there, sitting by their studious lamps, musing, searching, revolving new notions.”
—John Milton (1608–1674)