Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how launching a nuclear attack can go from a decision to a reality.
Once the president decides to consider a nuclear launch, a call is arranged between him and his military advisors. That call takes place in the White House Situation Room. After the president decides to launch a call is put out to the war room, where the nuclear codes verify the authenticity of the launch order.
Once the authenticity is verified, the Pentagon drafts a launch plan, then transmits the plan and the codes to global command centers. Nuclear crews prepare differently for launch depending on if the launch is from the ground or from a submarine. A land launch takes only five minutes, while a sub launch takes 15. That gives the president only a few minute to think better of his decision to continue with the nuclear strike before it's too late.
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