It would be helpful to have q status of "optional" to let leaders and COs know it's ok if your included in war or not. Perhaps even another like "only if necessary". These give leaders more information on who to include.

FURTHER either as a war status or new flag, it would be cool if leaders and COs could SET others staus to "benched" (for violating clan rules eg) or "out" if you know someone is away and forgot to change status themselves.