His civilian occupation was listed as blacksmith, band or orchestra leader, or musician.

Other personnel are reservists with a civilian occupation.

In times of crisis, the militiaman left his civilian duties and became a soldier until the emergency was over, when he returned to his civilian occupation and life.

Militiamen held civilian occupations but assembled at regular times for drill and inspection.

Most had been reservists, rather than professional soldiers, before the outbreak of war and their detention created a large labour shortage in civilian occupations.