Clause 79

A person may be enlisted to serve as a soldier of the army for a period of twelve years, or for such less period as may be from time to time fixed by the Army Board, with the approval of the President, but not for any longer period, and the period for which a person enlists is in this Act referred to as “the term of his original enlistment”:Provided that the Army Board, with the approval of the President in special cases or classes of cases may by order direct that where a boy is enlisted before attaining the age of eighteen years, the period of twelve years shall be reckoned from the day on which he attains the age of eighteen years.