tour of duty

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tour of duty

A soldier completes his tour of duty and returns home.

Definition

Noun: A fixed period of time during which a person, especially a member of the military, is assigned to a specific job, duty, or location. It implies a temporary assignment that has a defined beginning and end.

Usage

This term is most commonly used in military contexts to describe a soldier's deployment or assignment. It can also be used more broadly for any demanding, temporary work assignment, though this is less common. - The primary meaning refers to a soldier's period of active service in a particular place or role. - It emphasizes the temporary and often challenging nature of the assignment.

Examples
  • Military Context:
    • After completing his basic training, the soldier began a 12-month tour of duty overseas.
    • Her tour of duty at the remote base was both difficult and rewarding.
  • Extended/Figurative Use:
    • Working the night shift for six months felt like a long tour of duty. (This use is metaphorical, comparing the job to military service.)
Advanced Usage
  • "to serve a tour of duty": This is a common collocation meaning to complete such an assignment.
    • He served two tours of duty in the region before retiring.
  • "to be on a tour of duty": Describes the state of currently being in such an assignment.
    • She is currently on a tour of duty and cannot be reached.
Variants and Related Words
  • Tour (noun): A journey for pleasure or a brief trip to perform (e.g., a concert tour). In military contexts, it is often used interchangeably with "tour of duty."
    • The band is on a world tour.
    • He volunteered for a second tour.
  • Deployment (noun): The movement of troops or equipment to a place for military action. A "tour of duty" often follows a deployment.
    • The deployment to the conflict zone was swift.
Synonyms
  • Stint: A period of time spent doing a specific job or activity. (Less formal and not exclusive to military use.)
    • He did a stint as a teacher before joining the army.
  • Assignment: A task or piece of work assigned to someone. (Broader and more general.)
  • Deployment: (As above, specifically for military movement and positioning.)
Related Phrases
  • Combat tour: A specific type of tour of duty in a war zone.
    • His combat tour lasted nine months.
  • Rotation: The system of periodically replacing personnel, often related to tours of duty.
    • The unit operates on a yearly rotation for overseas tours.
tour of duty

A soldier completes his tour of duty and returns home.

Noun
  1. a period of time spent in military service

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