state - the way something is with respect to its main attributes; "the current state of knowledge"; "his state of health"; "in a weak financial state"

armed forces, armed services, military, military machine, war machine - the military forces of a nation; "their military is the largest in the region"; "the military machine is the same one we faced in 1991 but now it is weaker"

ready - poised for action; "their guns were at the ready"

alert, qui vive - condition of heightened watchfulness or preparation for action; "bombers were put on alert during the crisis"