A U.S. Army battalion at Fort Stewart, Georgia, is offering eligible soldiers a unique incentive to reenlist: a four-day pass to play Grand Theft Auto 6. This unusual perk, timed around the game's November 19 release, requires soldiers to commit to at least two more years of military service.
The offer comes from the 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion, part of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division. Soldiers who sign a reenlistment contract between August 1 and November 14 can qualify for the pass. Lt. Col. Angel Tomko, a spokesperson for the 3rd Infantry Division, stated that the program aims to connect with soldiers' interests and help the unit meet its reenlistment goals. As of Wednesday, 20 out of 120 eligible soldiers had selected this incentive.
While this specific offer is unique to the 3rd Infantry Division, the military has a history of offering unconventional perks for reenlistment. Past incentives have included ceremonies with military hardware, engagements with professional sports teams, and travel opportunities. Standard retention tools such as cash bonuses, educational benefits, and preferred assignments are also routinely utilized.
The Grand Theft Auto 6 release itself is a highly anticipated event, with anticipation reaching fever pitch. Rockstar Games has already announced a Netflix exclusive window for an extended look at the game on August 27, prior to footage appearing on YouTube and social media. The game is set to launch on November 19 with a standard edition price of $79.99. The Army's reenlistment offer remains open to eligible soldiers until November 14.