The article presents military service legislation in force in the time of Maria Theresa and Joseph II. Contents of numerous patents bear witness to events happening at the time, show various manners of avoiding military service, present which were exceptions to military service, how enlistment was carried out and which were physical and age norms for a soldier. We can find evidence of the fact that soldiers could get married, were disabled after the war and that there was some advantage in selling old military »rags«… This »military« legislation also shows the absolutist aspiration to control the system, to have all persons in their allocated places and prescribe the right manner of their behaviour. Consistent citation of all regulations provides for a (faster) view into legislative acts as sources for often cited matters. There are also many less known “novelties”.