"Pam will understand. It's like being a substitute teacher. You are qualified by the school district to serve as such, but not expected to appear in the classroom or receive pay for teaching class until actually called by a school authority."

I'm kind of seeing how this could be that glass. The one that is half full or half empty. Depends on what the one holding it thinks. Using the substitute example, it's true one does not get pay unless called into teach. It's also true that the Substitute is still on the roster and an 'active' employee of the school District. The Substitute went through the certification process and other ' background checks' to be listed on the roster. The District spent time and money to train the Substitute in some areas that are specific to the District. Other than not getting a pay check and not working, the Substitute is still considered an Employee until their certificate is either renewed or allowed to just expire at the end of whatever the Districts policy is. Ours is 5 years.

Those who were in the militia were trained and ready to do what they were ordered to do. They did not get called. If one wants, they can say that militia was 'inactive'. Another can say it was 'waiting to be called'. Then there's even another who may say they 'served'.

Pam