active duty

noun, Military
1.
the status of full-time service:
on active duty.
Also called active service.
Examples from the web for active duty
  • Keep your leave and earnings statements while on active duty to facilitate your claim.
  • There are three non-disability retirement plans currently in effect for active duty retirees.
  • Applies to federal and state active duty, other than for training.
British Dictionary definitions for active duty

active service

noun
1.
military duty in an operational area
Idioms and Phrases with active duty

active duty

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 ]