A U.S. Army battalion in Georgia is betting on the allure of a blockbuster video game to keep soldiers in uniform. The 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion, part of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team at Fort Stewart, is offering eligible troops a four-day pass to play Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) if they sign a reenlistment contract between Aug. 1 and Nov. 14.
The incentive, detailed in a late July memo obtained by The Hill, is designed to coincide with the game's scheduled release in mid-November. The four-day pass will be coordinated between the soldier and their chain of command to align with the official launch date, according to Lt. Col. Ryan Hodgson, the battalion commander.
Of the 130 soldiers eligible in the battalion, 20 have already opted for the incentive, said Lt. Col. Angel Tomko, a spokesperson for the 3rd Infantry Division. The initiative was the brainchild of a new career counselor who pitched it as a way to generate excitement and meet the unit's fiscal year 2027 reenlistment goals.
“Eligible Soldiers must reenlist for a minimum of two years, up to six years,” Tomko said in a statement.
The game, developed by Rockstar Games, is set to hit Xbox and PlayStation consoles on Nov. 19. The Army has long used reenlistment incentives, ranging from duty exemptions to parking privileges, but this marks a more pop-culture-driven approach.
“We want to retain the best talent and it’s a credit to the creativity of the career counselor within the organization to develop this unique opportunity surrounding the launch of this popular video game,” Tomko added.
The 3rd Infantry Division, which oversees the battalion, led the Army in retention last year, with career counselors in the brigade completing their mission 90 days ahead of schedule. The GTA 6 offer is part of a broader push to keep experienced soldiers, especially as the service contends with ongoing recruitment and retention challenges.
This isn't the first time the military has turned to unconventional perks to boost morale and retention. But linking a reenlistment bonus to a video game release is a fresh twist that reflects the interests of a younger force. Meanwhile, the Army continues to grapple with broader personnel issues, including safety concerns following recent accidents and the ongoing impact of record robocall scams targeting service members.
For now, the battalion's soldiers have a new reason to consider staying in uniform: a chance to dive into the virtual streets of Vice City on their own time.
