activeduty

Active duty refers to service in a country’s armed forces performed on a full-time basis, as opposed to reserve, National Guard, or civilian status. Individuals on active duty are members of the regular or permanent components of the military and may serve in their home country or abroad, aboard ships, on land bases, or in other operating environments. The term is used across many countries, though specific structures and terminology vary.

Scope and duties commonly associated with active duty include undergoing initial training, receiving job-specific schooling, and performing duties tied to a Service branch (such as Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard). Active-duty personnel can be assigned to bases domestically, deployed to operational theaters, or assigned to humanitarian or peacekeeping missions. Duty assignments, deployments, and length of service obligations are determined by the country, service branch, and contract.

Obligations and benefits of active duty typically involve a defined service commitment after training, regular pay, and access to benefits such as housing or cost-of-living allowances, healthcare, education assistance, and retirement programs. Active-duty service can entail extended separations from family, frequent relocations, and shifts in duty station or mission scope, including overseas deployments.

Variations exist by country and service. Some nations maintain conscription alongside professional forces, while others rely entirely on volunteers. In the United States, active duty distinguishes full-time military service from Reserve or National Guard status, with activation rules governing mobilization for national needs.