644 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 311

tions of this Article, for a term of not less than three years,
except that men may be enlisted as musicians if more than
sixteen years of age. No minor shall be enlisted without the
written consent of his parent or guardian, if one exists. No
man who has been expelled or dishonorably discharged from
any military organization of the State or United States shall
be eligible for enlistment or re-enlistment unless he produces
the written consent to such enlistment of the commanding offi-
cer of the organization from which he was expelled or dis-
honorably discharged. Men who have been discharged by rea-
son of disbandment may be enlisted and shall then receive
credit for the period served at the time of the disbandment.

A man discharged for physical disability shall, if such dis-
ability cease and he again enlists, receive credit for the period
served, or a man discharged upon his own request shall, if he
again enlists, receive credit for the period served prior to such
discharge. Bandmasters, drum majors, chief trumpeters,
members of the Hospital Corps and musicians may be en-
listed as such.

Section XL. Before any person shall be mustered into the
military service of this State, he shall take the following oath:

"I............. in the presence of Almighty, do solemnly

promise (or declare) that I will support and defend the con-
stitution and laws of the United States and the State of Mary-
land, and that I will observe and will obey the lawful orders
of the President of the United States, the Governor of this
State, and the officers appointed over me according to the arti-
cles and regulations provided for the armies of the United
States and of the State of Maryland, for the period of three
years, unless sooner lawfully discharged. And I consent to be
mustered into the service of the United States whenever dur-
ing the term of my enlistment, the organization of which I am
a member is called into the service of the United States. "

All officers of the organized militia of this state shall be
empowered to administer oaths of enlistment, provided how-
ever, no enlistment shall be valid until it be approved by the
commanding officer of the organization to which the company,
troop, battery, corps or division is attached, or of which it
forms a part. The term of service of an enlisted man shall be
three years. Soldiers who re-enlist within ninety days after
the expiration of the former terms of their enlistment shall be
considered to have served continuously.