In an effort to entice soldiers to extend their military service, a U.S. army unit, the 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia, is providing a special incentive. This incentive offers four additional days off coinciding with the launch of the highly anticipated video game, Grand Theft Auto VI, set to release on November 19.
The battalion’s commanders believe that granting troops leisure time to engage with the latest installment of the Grand Theft Auto series, known for its car thefts, police confrontations, and daring heists, will influence some soldiers to prolong their enlistment.
Take-Two Interactive, the game’s publisher, has not disclosed pre-order sales figures, but CEO Strauss Zelnick has described them as exceptional and remarkable, signaling immense interest in the upcoming release.
According to Lt. Col. Angel Tomko, a spokesperson for Fort Stewart, a career counselor within the engineer battalion proposed linking a retention benefit to the game’s debut as a means to prompt soldiers about their re-enlistment deadlines.
Lt. Col. Tomko stated, “The concept behind this unique incentives program is to align with the soldiers’ interests and provide added motivation for them to consider extending their service.”
Soldiers who decide to re-enlist with the 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion at Fort Stewart, Georgia, will receive additional leave days to coincide with the launch of Grand Theft Auto. (Russ Bynum/The Associated Press)
In a memo dated July 28, battalion commanders informed soldiers that those who commit to re-enlist by November 14 would be granted “a special four-day pass,” strategically synchronized with the debut of Grand Theft Auto VI, as highlighted by battalion commander Lt. Col. Ryan Hodgson.
Tomko verified the legitimacy of the memo, which was circulated online after being photographed.
She mentioned that out of the 130 eligible soldiers, at least 20 have opted for the bonus offer, contingent on committing to an additional two years of service.
Excitement for Grand Theft Auto VI has been escalating since 2023, with the initial cinematic trailer showcasing a return to the fictional Vice City, a satirical representation of Miami, alongside an extended range of Florida-based settings, including alligator-populated swamplands.
Highlighting the anticipation, Rockstar Games, the game’s developer, intends to unveil a gameplay video in an extended trailer on Netflix next week. However, this plan was disrupted by hackers who leaked purported footage online earlier this week.