ENLISTMENT, a contract between a gov ernment and an individual, in accordance with which the latter voluntarily assumes the duties of a soldier in return for which the government assures him a soldier's rights, pay and allow ances. It differs from ordinary contracts for services in that it involves a change of status, so that the contract cannot be broken with im the will of the enlisted man. Enlist ment is the method of obtaining soldiers to which those nations resort that do not favor conscription. Accordingly before the European War, it was best exemplified by the armies and navies of the English-speaking peoples. In the United States army, recruits to be enlisted must be of good moral character, i.e., must never have been convicted of a felony nor imprisoned — and must be able-bodied, and between the ages of 18 and 35, if it is their first enlistment. They must be citizens or have taken out their first papers, and must be able to speak, read and write the English language. The physical standards vary somewhat with the different branches of the army and the need for men, but in time of peace are very stringent. The enlistment of recruits is part of the duty of the adjutant-general's department. The period of enlistment is seven years, of which the first three or four, as the case may be, are spent with the colors, and the remainder with the Army Reserve, which is only on duty in time of war. Extra pay is allowed for re-enlistments within three months.
In the navy, candidates for enlistment must be of sound physique, not subject to fits, and able to read or write; or otherwise of satis factory general intelligence. In general, only citizens of the United States and its possessions are accepted. They must be of good character and must not have been convicted of a crime. Enlistments in the grade of apprentice seamen are made among those between the ages of 17 and 25. The term of enlistment for those under
18 is until they become of age; for those over 18, four years. For those under 18, the con sent of the parent or guardian is necessary. All those enlisted after they are of age serve for four years, but the term may be extended for from one to four years by the voluntary agreement of the enlisted man, if he is not undesirable. The upper limit of age for enlist ment is 35, but not all ratings have the same limit Enlistments are made at naval rendez vous, on board receiving ships, on board cruis ing ships which are short of their complement at a port where there is no rendezvous or re ceiving ship, on board vessels of the Bureau of Fisheries and at naval stations to fill up the complement of their yard craft. Finger-prints are taken at each enlistment As in the army, extra pay is given to those who re-enlist, but the period within which this re-enlistment may take place is four months.
In the British army, since the law of 1907, the army consists of the regulars and the ter ritorials. The regular army comprises the per manent army, the army reserve and the special reserve. The period of _enlistment is 12 years, of which three, five or tune years may be spent in the reserve. The maximum service permit ted to good service men is 21 years, after which they are pensioned. On the average those men who serve in the colonies or in India serve from 12 to 16 years. Enlistment in the special re serve is for six years, in the territorial army for four.
In the active force of the British navy, the majority of the enlistments are made between the ages of 15 and 161/2. After two years of preparation, the term of service with the fleet is 12 years. Re-enlistment for 10 years is per mitted. See ARMY ORGANIZATION.