Commanders of the 9th Engineer Battalion, US Army, based at Fort Stewart in Georgia, believe that a four-day leave period to play Grand Theft Auto 6 could persuade some soldiers to continue their service.

This "four-day special leave" policy will apply to soldiers who sign a professional military contract extension before 14/11, taking effect from 19/11, which coincides with the game's release. Reenlisting personnel must also commit to serving for at least two additional years.

Grand Theft Auto 6 is one of the most anticipated games in years. Publisher Take-Two Interactive has not yet announced pre-order sales, but CEO Strauss Zelnick described the current results as "unprecedented and astonishing".

Lieutenant Colonel Angel Tomko, a spokesperson for Fort Stewart, stated that the idea originated from a career counselor and was discussed with commanders. They agreed that troop retention strategies need to be linked to soldiers' interests.

US soldiers during annual training at Fort Stewart, Georgia, 4/8. Photo: US Army National Guard

This incentive is also expected to be effective in media outreach, attracting more interest from service members and prompting them to check their reenlistment dates. "The idea is to create a unique incentive program tied to what soldiers care about", Lieutenant Colonel Tomko said, referring to the memo signed by Battalion Commander Ryan Hodgson on 28/7.

At least 20 of the unit's 130 eligible soldiers have registered for the incentive.

The incentive policy at Fort Stewart comes as the US military has faced several years of recruitment challenges, though the situation is now beginning to improve.

ABC reported that all US military branches have met their recruitment targets for three consecutive years, starting from 2024.

Members of the 20th Engineer Brigade on duty at Fort Stewart, Georgia, 31/7. Photo: US Army

The Army, the branch that previously faced the most significant recruitment difficulties, signed 61,500 new recruits in fiscal year 2026. The Navy recruited 45,000 people, while the Air Force recruited nearly 33,000. The Marine Corps is also on track to meet its goals, and the Space Force recruited 730 individuals.

This marks a significant reversal compared to 2022, when the Army recruited nearly 45,000 personnel out of a target of 60,000.

Salary, benefits, educational support, and career opportunities are the primary reasons young Americans enlist. The US military currently provides benefits such as college tuition assistance, home loans, retirement savings, and pensions for those who serve for 20 years.

The pool of qualified recruits remains a major challenge. The Pentagon estimates that approximately 75% of Americans aged 17-24 do not meet the eligibility requirements for enlistment, with obesity and failure to meet educational standards being the main reasons.

Thanh Danh (According to AP, ABC)