US Army unit offers soldiers 4 days off to play Grand Theft Auto VI if they re-enlist
The 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion, based at Fort Stewart, Georgia, has introduced a unique retention incentive: soldiers who re-enlist will receive four extra days of leave timed around the November 19 release of Grand Theft Auto VI. The initiative, conceived by a career counselor and commanders, aims to remind soldiers of their reenlistment deadlines and appeal to their interests. Lieutenant Colonel Angel Tomko, a Fort Stewart spokeswoman, confirmed the program in a statement on Thursday, noting it was designed as a unique incentive connecting to soldiers' interests. The game's release is anticipated as one of the year's biggest entertainment events, with Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick describing pre-orders as 'unprecedented and astonishing.' The battalion's move highlights the military's creative approaches to retention amid broader recruitment challenges.
Key facts
- The 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion at Fort Stewart, Georgia, offers four extra days off for soldiers who re-enlist, timed around the November 19 release of Grand Theft Auto VI.
- The initiative was hatched by a career counselor and commanders to tie a retention perk to the game's release and remind soldiers of reenlistment dates.
- Lieutenant Colonel Angel Tomko, a Fort Stewart spokeswoman, confirmed the program in a statement on Thursday.
- Grand Theft Auto VI is expected to be one of the year's biggest entertainment events.
- Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick called pre-orders 'unprecedented and astonishing.'
- The game involves carjackings, shoot-outs with police, and heists.
- The release date is November 19.
- The program is part of a unique incentives program connecting to soldiers' interests.
Entities
Institutions
- US Army
- 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion
- Fort Stewart
- Take-Two Interactive
Locations
- Fort Stewart
- Georgia
- United States