The U.S. Army has come up with an unusual incentive to encourage some soldiers to reenlist.
Four days off to play Grand Theft Auto 6. That's the offer from the 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion at Fort Stewart, Georgia, for eligible soldiers who commit to another stint in the Army between August 1 and November 14, 2026.
The pass is specifically intended to coincide with the release of GTA 6, which is scheduled to launch on November 19. It will be "coordinated between the Soldier and their chain of command, aligning with the official release date of the game November 20-23, 2026."
Soldiers Can Get Four Days Off for GTA 6
According to an Army memorandum, there is a fairly significant catch: soldiers are required to reenlist for two to six years.
Lt. Col. Angel Tomko, a 3rd Infantry Division spokesperson, confirmed to NBC News that 20 soldiers have accepted the proposal. The goal of this initiative "was to have a unique incentives program that connects to what Soldiers are interested in."
Around 130 soldiers in the unit are currently eligible for the incentive, which means a significant portion of those eligible have already taken advantage of the unusual offer.
The Army Has Targeted Gamers Before
Although the GTA 6 offer is certainly bizarre, the Army has previously attempted to connect with younger soldiers through gaming.
The service has used esports and gaming events as part of its recruitment strategy in the past. This includes an Army esports team that has competed in games such as Call of Duty, Fortnite, and League of Legends.
Still, the Army's latest promotion highlights just how much hype surrounds GTA 6. Rockstar Games' next major open-world game is scheduled to arrive later this year. Its launch comes more than a decade after GTA 5 first launched in 2013. The new game will return players to the fictional state of Leonida and its Vice City setting. Protagonists Lucia and Jason are at the center of the story.