North Bend student Joseph K. Erlach has joined the United States Army under the Delayed Entry Program.

The program gives young people the opportunity to delay entering active duty for up to one year.

Erlach, currently attending Mount Si High School in Snoqualmie, will report to Fort Leonard Wood, Waynesville, Mo., for basic training in July 2011. He is the son of Christina and Troy Arner of North Bend.

With enlistment, Erlach qualifies for a $1,400 enlistment bonus. With service, he will 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.