Philip A. Blackwell has joined the United States Army under the Delayed Entry Program. The program gives young men and women the opportunity to delay entering active duty for up to one year.

The enlistment gives the new soldier the option to learn a new skill, travel and become eligible to receive as much as $50,000 toward a college education. After completion of basic military training, soldiers receive advanced individual training in their career job specialty prior to being assigned to their first permanent duty station.

The recruit qualifies for a $7,000 enlistment bonus.

Blackwell will report to Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga., for basic training in June.

He is the son of George and Emma Blackwell of Daphne.