Who is responsible for developing the DEFCON levels?

The responsibility for developing the Defense Readiness Condition (DEFCON) levels primarily lies with the Unified and specified combatant commands. These commands are responsible for the operational readiness and the strategic posture of U.S. military forces. DEFCON levels serve as a series of graduated alerts based on the threat level faced by the nation, and they are established to dictate military readiness in response to threats or crises.

The Unified Combatant Commands have the authority to assess the security environment, make decisions regarding the military readiness of forces, and communicate directives up the chain of command. This structure ensures that the military is prepared to respond effectively to various levels of threats, ranging from peacetime readiness to full-scale war.

Other organizations, such as federal agencies and major military branches, may play supportive roles in national defense, but they do not have the overarching authority to develop or define the DEFCON levels, which are specifically tailored for military operational readiness.