A unit in the U.S. army is incentivizing soldiers to re-enlist by offering them a special bonus of four additional days off aligned with the launch of the video game Grand Theft Auto VI in November. The 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion at Fort Stewart, Georgia, believes that providing extra time for troops to enjoy the latest installment in the Grand Theft Auto franchise, known for its carjackings, police shootouts, and daring heists, will encourage some soldiers to extend their military service.
The release of Grand Theft Auto VI on November 19 is anticipated to be a major entertainment occasion of the year. Although specific pre-order sales figures have not been disclosed by game publisher Take-Two Interactive, CEO Strauss Zelnick has described them as “unprecedented and astonishing.”
According to Lt. Col. Angel Tomko, a spokesperson for Fort Stewart, a career counselor within the army engineer battalion proposed linking a retention incentive to the game’s launch to remind soldiers of their upcoming re-enlistment deadlines. Tomko stated that the intention was to establish a unique rewards program that resonates with soldiers’ interests.
In a memo to soldiers, battalion commanders outlined that individuals who sign re-enlistment contracts by November 14 will be granted “a special four-day pass” timed with the highly awaited release of Grand Theft Auto VI, as articulated by battalion commander Lt. Col. Ryan Hodgson.
The authenticity of the memo dated July 28 was verified by Tomko, who disclosed that at least 20 out of 130 eligible soldiers have already enrolled for the bonus offer. To be eligible, soldiers must commit to serving a minimum of two additional years in uniform.
Excitement for Grand Theft Auto VI has been escalating since 2023 when its initial cinematic trailer hinted at a return to the fictional Vice City, a satirical representation of Miami, along with an expanded array of Florida-based settings featuring alligator-filled swamps. Building up anticipation, developer Rockstar Games is set to unveil gameplay footage next week through an extended trailer on Netflix, following a leak of apparent footage by hackers earlier this week.