active duty

American  

noun

Military.

1. the status of full-time service.

   on active duty.

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active duty Idioms  

1. 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]

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Example Sentences

Kelly could even be recalled to active duty, then court-martialed, an act that would remove his military status entirely and even land the senator in prison.

From Slate

Some western estimates put its active duty contingent in the hundreds of thousands, still a very substantial total.

From BBC

That echoed a recent report from a national alliance of retired and active duty agents and analysts, which described Bongino as “something of a clown.”

From Salon

According to the statement, the senator could be recalled to active duty to face “court-martial proceedings or administrative measures.”

From Salon

The Pentagon said on Monday that further action may be taken against Kelly, including a recall to active duty for court-martial or administrative measures.

From BBC