“Picked” in “I picked the apples” is an 'active' verb because it shows that the subject “I” is the one who picked the apples.
After two years of 'active duty' [=two years of being a full-time member of the military] she entered the reserves.
He saw no 'active service' [=he did not fight in any battles] during his time in the army.
(..) Your honor i report. It was impossible to destroy the light. Mr Apostol, you are a very lonely man. You don't love anybody but yourself. There is nothing mentioned about the loneliness and love in the active military regulation, Mr captain. It's not good. Like that. No, no, i can't. (..)1965 Forest of the Hanged