What is the difference between military service on Active Duty, as a member of the National Guard, or as a Reservist? There are differences in terms often used to describe military personnel and not all of them involve a full-time commitment to military service. In fact, active duty military service is only available in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force.
Active duty military service is a full-time, 24-7 job and the Department of Defense may assign its active duty forces anywhere in the world. Joining as an active duty member means signing a legally binding contract that obligates the member to a minimum service commitment defined by the individual branch of service. Each branch has its own requirements with some requiring more in the physical fitness area, but all branches have some form of basic training to meet physical standards while learning military order and discipline.
Individuals wishing to join the military on a part-time basis have two options in either The National Guard or the Reserve. Both the Guard and the Reserve originated in early American militia groups formed at the beginning of the American colonization. The Department of Defence has these positions available in the Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Air Force Reserve, or the Coast Guard Reserve. These service members are called “active” unless they are called upon to deploy, at which time they are “active duty.” Because of the part-time nature of their military jobs, most hold civilian jobs while serving.