The 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion at Fort Stewart, Georgia, is incentivizing soldiers to re-enlist with a unique offer tied to the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI. Military personnel who extend their service by signing re-enlistment contracts before November 14 will receive a special four-day pass, coinciding with the highly anticipated release of the video game.
The battalion’s commanders devised this retention strategy to tap into soldiers’ interests and boost re-enlistment rates. According to Lt. Col. Angel Tomko, a spokesperson for Fort Stewart, the idea was proposed by a career counselor within the battalion to align the incentive program with soldiers’ preferences.
The release of Grand Theft Auto VI on November 19 is projected to be a significant entertainment event of the year. Take-Two Interactive, the game’s publisher, has reported unprecedented pre-order sales figures, fueling anticipation for the game’s launch.
To qualify for the bonus pass, soldiers must commit to serving an additional two years in the military. So far, around 20 out of 130 eligible soldiers have taken advantage of this offer, as confirmed by Tomko. The buzz surrounding Grand Theft Auto VI has been escalating since its cinematic trailer in 2023, showcasing a return to the fictional Vice City and new Florida-based environments.
Developer Rockstar Games has planned to reveal gameplay footage soon, with an extended trailer scheduled to premiere on Netflix. However, the unveiling was hastened due to leaked gameplay footage circulating online earlier than anticipated.