A
standing army is a permanent, often professional,
army. It is composed of full-time
soldiers (who may be either career soldiers or
conscripts) and is not disbanded during times of peace. It differs from
army reserves, who are enrolled for the long term, but activated only during
wars or
natural disasters, and temporary armies, which are raised from the civilian population only during a war or threat of war and disbanded once the war or threat is over. Standing armies tend to be better equipped, better trained, and better prepared for emergencies, defensive deterrence, and particularly, wars. The term dates from approximately 1600, although the phenomenon it describes is much older.