Marine is cleared for ‘Idol’ tour

U.S. Marine Joshua Gracin has been cleared to report for duty for the “American Idol” summer tour.

Gracin, one of the top 10 finalists in the Fox talent competition series, did not appear with his fellow contestants during the show’s finale Wednesday but is expected to join the two-month nationwide tour when it begins July 8 at St. Paul, Minn.

After being voted off the show by viewers on May 7, Gracin returned to the 1st Service Support Group of the U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton. He had been given clearance to stay in Los Angeles with the show, although he would have to leave within 24 hours if his Marine unit was called to active duty in Iraq.