noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
active duty; active service; currently working
Refers to someone currently serving in a role, especially military, but also used for professionals still active in their field (e.g., 現役の医師).
彼はまだ現役の消防士です。
He is still an active firefighter.
祖父は現役時代、船乗りだっ
My grandfather was a sailor during his active years.
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
current student taking entrance exams; first-time exam passer
Used in the context of university entrance exams. 現役で means taking or passing exams while still enrolled in high school, as opposed to 浪人 (a student taking a gap year to retake exams).
See also: 浪人 (ろうにん)
彼は現役で東大に合格した。
He passed the University of Tokyo entrance exam on his first try while still in high school.
現役生と浪人生では勉強時間が違う。
Study hours differ between current high school students and ronin students.