active duty

noun

Military.

1. the status of full-time service.

   on active duty.

Idioms and Phrases

Full-time service, as in Julian is 81, but he still comes to the office every day and is very much on active duty. This term comes from the military, where it stands in opposition to reserve, which refers to troops still in the military but not actively engaged. It is occasionally transferred to civilian matters as well. [First half of 1800s]

Example Sentences

She’s former active duty judge advocate in the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

Liu has returned to active duty and is assigned to the Temple Station, where he worked when the shooting occurred, according to Nicole Nishida, a sheriff’s department spokeswoman.

From Los Angeles Times

Excited by the sight of 2,000 men in military garb on the streets of an American city he hates, the president doubled the number, and then ordered 700 active duty Marines to join them.

From Salon

Narciso Barranco’s sons, Emanuel and José Luis Barranco are active duty Marines, while Alejandro Barranco is a veteran.

From Los Angeles Times

CalGuard officials said the troops were called to federal active duty under Title 10 authority, which empowers the president to activate National Guard troops for federal service under certain emergency protocols.

From Los Angeles Times