A unit of the United States Army is providing an enticing incentive for its soldiers to re-enlist promptly by offering them an extra four days off around the launch of the highly anticipated video game, Grand Theft Auto VI in November.
Leaders of the 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia, believe that granting soldiers leisure time to immerse themselves in the latest installment of the Grand Theft Auto franchise will sway some individuals to prolong their military service commitments. The release of Grand Theft Auto VI on November 19 is anticipated to be a significant entertainment event of the year. While exact pre-order sales figures have not been disclosed by game publisher Take-Two Interactive, CEO Strauss Zelnick has described them as “unprecedented and astonishing.”
A career counselor working with the army engineer battalion collaborated with unit commanders to link a retention perk to the launch of the game as a way to prompt soldiers about their upcoming re-enlistment deadlines, as stated by Lt. Col. Angel Tomko, a spokesperson for Fort Stewart. The aim was to establish a distinct incentives program that resonates with soldiers’ interests, Tomko mentioned in a statement to The Associated Press.
In a memo addressed to soldiers, battalion commanders outlined that individuals who commit to re-enlistment contracts by November 14 will be rewarded with “a special four-day pass.” Lt. Col. Ryan Hodgson, the battalion commander, pointed out that this pass is specifically timed to coincide with the much-awaited release of Grand Theft Auto VI. The authenticity of the July 28 memo, which was photographed and shared online, was confirmed by Tomko.
Approximately 20 out of 130 eligible soldiers have already taken advantage of the bonus offer by signing up. To qualify, they must agree to serve a minimum of two additional years in the military. Anticipation for Grand Theft Auto VI has been steadily growing since 2023, particularly after the release of its initial cinematic trailer showcasing a return to the fictional Vice City, a satirical version of Miami, and an expanded range of Florida-based settings, including alligator-infested swamplands.
Highlighting the excitement surrounding the game, developer Rockstar Games intends to unveil gameplay footage next week through an extended trailer on Netflix. This rollout was accelerated when hackers purportedly leaked footage online earlier this week.