A battalion within the United States Army is reportedly offering soldiers four days of leave to play Grand Theft Auto 6 upon its release, as a special incentive for reenlistment. The offer, detailed in a flyer attributed to the 9th Engineer Battalion at Fort Stewart, Georgia, aims to boost morale and promote retention.
According to the flyer, any eligible soldier who reenlists between August 1 and November 14 will be authorized for the leave, which is specifically timed to coincide with the anticipated November 2026 release of Grand Theft Auto VI. The exact dates for this leave would be arranged between individual soldiers and their command, but are designated to align with the game's official launch period.
While neither the battalion nor the US Army has officially confirmed the flyer's authenticity, public reaction on social media leans towards it being legitimate. Kotaku has confirmed that the commanding officer named on the flyer, Lt. Col. Ryan D. Hodgson, is a real officer who assumed command of the battalion in July 2026. Veterans have noted that the US Army has historically implemented similar recruitment and retention campaigns, though some experienced personnel have commented on the flyer's unusual formatting for official military communication.
The significant cultural anticipation surrounding Grand Theft Auto 6 has been evident. Rockstar Games recently collaborated with Netflix for an exclusive preview event. The game is projected to be a major financial success, with predictions of $5.2 billion in revenue by the end of its launch week and an estimated $260 million already secured through preorders. Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has also indicated that the more expensive Ultimate Edition of the game has seen higher sales than the standard version, positioning GTA 6 to be one of the most profitable titles in history.