In this episode of Red Dot Mindset, we cut through the headlines to confront a growing national security concern: sleeper cells embedded within the U.S. homeland. With rising tensions following the June 2025 U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, federal agencies have issued elevated warnings—but what does that mean for you, the civilian?

Two AI hosts guide this deep dive, featuring insights and frameworks developed by Mickey Middaugh, founder of Grey Matter Ops and a nationally recognized expert in adapting military and police tactics for civilian use.

We break down:

What sleeper cells are and how they operate

How geopolitical triggers can activate long-dormant threats

The Grey Line™ Awareness Framework for civilian threat detection

Observable red flags—without relying on fear or bias

Actionable steps you can take today to protect yourself and your community

This episode isn’t about fear. It’s about training your mind before the threat emerges. Because in a world of silent operators, awareness is your armor.

• (00:00:00) - Deep Dive: Threats to Terrorism
• (00:00:58) - What Exactly Are Sleeper Cells?
• (00:02:43) - How Iran Is Preparing for a Threat
• (00:07:06) - How to Spot a Potential Threat
• (00:10:35) - Signs of Extremists on the Internet
• (00:11:09) - Steps to Building situational awareness

In this tactical deep dive, we unpack The Grey, the White, and the Black — a powerful situational awareness model for civilians navigating an increasingly unpredictable world.

Condition White = Unaware and vulnerable

Condition Black = Threat actors and predators

Condition Grey = Calibrated readiness without paranoia

This isn’t about becoming a warrior — it’s about intentional perception, pre-threat awareness, and mastering your own mindset to gain real-world control.

You’ll learn how to:

Recognize behaviors that attract opportunistic threats

Operate confidently in transitional spaces like parking lots, ATMs, and cafes

Apply the Grey Man mindset without losing yourself in fear

Train your mind to scan environments and avoid ambush setups

This framework, developed by Mickey Middaugh of Grey Matter Ops, builds on Dave Grossman’s legendary Sheepdog model — but modernizes it for civilians who want to be ready without needing to be warriors.

Awareness is Armour.

Train the Mind. Win the Fight.

Resources Mentioned:

Blog post: From Sheepdog to Sentinel

• (00:00:00) - Training the Mind: For the Modern Civilian
• (00:01:22) - Condition White and situational awareness
• (00:03:39) - Condition Black vs Condition Gray: How to Deter the Threat
• (00:07:36) - Condition Gray
• (00:10:28) - How Gray Matter Ops Integrates the Mindset Framework
• (00:11:25) - Stay Ready: The Red Dot Mindset

In this critical Red Dot Mindset episode, we tackle one of the most terrifying threats of modern life—active shooter situations. But instead of panic, we offer preparation.

Using FBI data, ALERRT's Avoid | Deny | Defend framework, and insights from security experts like Cade Courtley and Grey Matter Ops, we break down:

• How the threat is evolving

• Common attack locations and warning signs
• How to train your mind under stress

Tactical actions you can take before, during, and after an incident

We also discuss situational awareness, defensive decision-making, and the importance of tools like Stop the Bleed and combat breathing.

This is not about fear—it's about control, action, and survival.

Resources Mentioned:

ALERRT Civilian Training: e-learning.ALERRT.org

More on our philosophy: GreyMatterOps.com

"What you do matters." Train your mind. Win the fight.

Red Dot Mindset is powered by Grey Matter Ops.

• (00:00:00) - Active Shooter Crisis: How to Prepare Yourself
• (00:01:18) - FBI's Report on the Threat
• (00:03:35) - What About the Attackers?
• (00:06:12) - Five Rules for Concealment During a Shooting
• (00:06:59) - How To Survive An Attack?
• (00:10:51) - How to Fight Back in a Panic
• (00:12:19) - Active Shooter Survival: What to Do?
• (00:16:01) - Training Your Mind