Brandon E. Drayton 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.

Drayton, a 2007 graduate of Daphne High School, will report to Fort Sill, Lawton, Okl., for basic training in July.

He is the son of Barbara L. Drayton of Old Fort Road, Spring Mills, Pa., and John G. Drayton of Schooley Circle, Daphne.