# Jason Bourne's Situational Awareness

_2026-02-23_

> How to develop situational awareness like Jason Bourne. Cooper's colour code, OODA loop, baselines and anomalies.

At the beginning of *The Bourne Identity*, Jason sits in a café trying to figure out who he is. And he notices that he... notices things that others don't. This ability can be developed.

## What is situational awareness?

Knowing what's happening around you. Sounds simple, but it requires training. Soldiers, police officers, and agents learn this — but it's an important skill for ordinary people too. In a dangerous situation, being aware of a threat even a few seconds before others could save your life.

**Observation + Orientation = Situational Awareness** — the first two steps of the OODA loop (Observe → Orient → Decide → Act), developed by fighter pilot John Boyd.

## Observation: Cooper's Colour Code

**White** — Relaxed, not paying attention. Dangerous.

**Yellow** — Relaxed alertness. Scanning your surroundings.

**Orange** — You've noticed a potential threat.

**Red** — You're actively reacting.

Goal: always be in "Yellow". Relaxed alertness without tension.

## Improving observation

- **Take the correct position** — back to the wall, facing the entrance
- **Play the "A" Game** (Awareness Game): when entering, note the number of people, exits, clothing
- **Train your memory** — Bourne knew all the car numbers

## Orientation: what to look for?

**Baseline** — the "normal" for a given situation. In a coffee shop, people read and talk quietly.

**Anomalies** — anything that should happen but doesn't, or happens but shouldn't.

### Behavioural clusters

1. **Dominance / Submission** — dominant behaviour in an unexpected context = anomaly
2. **Comfort / Discomfort** — someone calm when everyone else is panicking (this is how the Boston bombers were found)
3. **Interest / Disinterest** — unusual interest in something = anomaly

Other indicators: fidgety hands (touching where an object is hidden), "natural" behaviour (difficult to fake).

Establish baseline → Look for anomalies → Have a plan

## Practice

- Note entrances and exits when entering a building
- Observe people, establish baselines
- Generate possible anomalies
- Devise action plans

Don't be paranoid — be aware.

Do this day after day, and situational awareness becomes natural. Like Jason Bourne.

## 📚 Recommended books

- *Left of Bang* — Patrick Van Horne, Jason Riley
- *The Gift of Fear* — Gavin de Becker
- *Principles of Personal Defence* — Jeff Cooper