Kirsten L. Grooms has joined the United States Army Reserve under the delayed training program.
The program gives young men and women the opportunity to delay reporting for basic military training for up to 270 days.
An enlistment in the reserve gives many new soldiers the option to learn a new skill, serve their country, and become eligible to receive more than $7,000 toward a college education, $20,000 for repayment of college loans, and a maximum $5,000 cash bonus.
After completion of basic military training, most 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 $20,000 enlistment bonus.
Grooms, currently attending Aurora High School, will report to Fort Leonard Wood in Waynesville, Mo., for basic training in June. She is the daughter of Robin L. Hobbs and Chris A. Grooms, both of Aurora.