A unit within the U.S. army is incentivizing its soldiers to re-enlist by offering a special bonus package that includes four additional days off coinciding with the release 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 providing leisure time for troops to immerse themselves in the newest installment of the Grand Theft Auto series, known for its action-packed gameplay involving car thefts, police standoffs, and daring robberies, will persuade some servicemembers to extend their tenure in the military.
The upcoming launch of Grand Theft Auto VI on November 19 is anticipated to be a major cultural event of the year. While specific pre-order sales figures have not been disclosed by game publisher Take-Two Interactive, CEO Strauss Zelnick has described the demand as unprecedented and remarkable.
A career advisor working with the army engineer battalion proposed the concept of linking a retention benefit to the release of the game as a way to remind soldiers of their re-enlistment deadlines, according to Lt. Col. Angel Tomko, a spokesperson for Fort Stewart. The initiative was designed to offer a unique incentive that aligns with soldiers’ interests and hobbies.
In a memo circulated to the troops, battalion commanders announced that individuals who re-enlist by November 14 will be granted a “special four-day pass” timed around the debut of Grand Theft Auto VI. Lt. Col. Ryan Hodgson, the battalion commander, emphasized the tailored nature of the pass to coincide with the much-anticipated game release.
Confirming the legitimacy of the memo dated July 28, Tomko revealed that approximately 20 out of 130 eligible soldiers have already taken advantage of the bonus offer by committing to an additional two years of service. The soldiers need to meet the requirement of serving a minimum of two more years in uniform to qualify for the bonus.
Excitement surrounding Grand Theft Auto VI has been growing since 2023, with the unveiling of its initial cinematic trailer showcasing a return to the fictional Vice City, a satirical representation of Miami, and an expanded array of Florida-inspired locations, including alligator-infested swamps.
In a sign of the heightened anticipation, Rockstar Games, the developer of the game, is set to release gameplay footage in an extended trailer on Netflix in the upcoming week. This plan was expedited after hackers leaked what appeared to be game footage online earlier this week.