Method of attestation

(1) The recruiting officer, after a person offering to enlist has been given a notice paper, shall satisfy himself that the person understands the contents of the notice paper and the conditions of engagement upon which he is about to enter and he shall warn the person to be enlisted that if he knowingly makes any false answers to the questions in the attestation paper which are to be put to him, he will be liable to be punished as provided by the Act. (2) The recruiting officer shall satisfy himself that the person offering to enlist is over the apparent age of eighteen years. (3) The recruiting officer shall read or cause to be read to the person the questions set out in the attestation paper and shall ensure that the answers are duly recorded thereon. (4) The recruiting officer shall then ask the person to make and sign the declaration set out in the attestation paper as to the 156 Defence truth of the answers and shall administer to him the oath of allegiance set out in the attestation paper, provided that if the person objects to be sworn and states as a ground for his objection either that he has no religious belief or that the taking of an oath is contrary to his religious belief or if it is not reasonable to administer an oath to such person in the manner appropriate to his religious belief, the person shall be required to make a solemn affirmation instead of taking the oath. (5) Upon signing the declaration in the attestation paper and upon taking the oath, or as the case may be, making the solemn affirmation, the person shall become a soldier and subject to military law. (6) The recruiting officer shall by signature confirm on the attestation paper that the requirements of the Act and these Regulations have been duly complied with and shall deliver the attestation paper duly dated to the Commandant or such other officer as may have been authorised by the Commandant to receive it and who shall on receiving the attestation paper sign it in the appropriate place and thereby signify that the person is finally approved for service. (7) The soldier on being finally approved for service shall be entitled to receive a certified true copy of the attestation paper.