Final answer:
Most soldiers in the Continental Army did not enlist for the duration of the war, with many enlisting for shorter terms that varied over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The majority of soldiers in the Continental Army did not sign up for the duration of the war. At various points in time, the enlistment terms changed. Initially, some enlistments were as short as a few months. However, as the war continued and the challenges of maintaining an adequate fighting force increased, Congress authorized different policies, including longer enlistments and even accepting African Americans, both free and slave, into the army to bolster manpower. Despite these efforts, the army often struggled with shortages of manpower and equipment. The enlistment term for soldiers, especially early in the war, was often not for the duration but fluctuated depending on various factors.