US Army’s GTA 6 Incentive Program

The US Army’s 3rd Infantry Division has confirmed that it is indeed offering a four-day pass in November to soldiers who reenlist for at least two years, so they can play Grand Theft Auto 6 when it comes out.

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The ‘Special Reenlistment Incentive’ memo is dated July 28, and came to light via the US Army WTF! Moments account on Instagram. It states, quite explicitly, that ‘any soldier who signs a reenlistment contract between 1 August 2026 and 14 November 2026 will be authorized for a special four-day pass. This special pass is specifically designated to coincide with the highly anticipated release of the videogame Grand Theft Auto 6.’

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A photo shared by the US Army WTF! Moments account shows the memo, which outlines the terms of the incentive program.

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The incentive program is not Army-wide, but rather a program unique to the 3rd Infantry Division, of which the 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion is a part. According to Lt. Col. Angel Tomko, the idea behind the program was to have a unique incentives program that connects to what soldiers are interested in.

‘The command team, in conjunction with the career counselor, wanted to get soldiers excited to reenlist,’ Tomko explained. ‘The command team thinks eligible soldiers are more aware that they are in their window for reenlistment and engage their leadership and the career counselor earlier to see available opportunities.’

Tomko said the GTA 6 offer is not the only incentive available to soldiers, but rather one of several options that are available depending on their Military Occupational Specialty, service needs, and eligibility.

‘Soldiers who reenlist often have multiple incentive options,’ Tomko said. ‘This specific incentive is for all soldiers in 9th Engineer Battalion and is an administrative bonus layered on top of standard reenlistment incentives.’

The US Army has a history of using videogames as part of its recruitment efforts. The America’s Army shooter series debuted in 2002, and in 2018 the Army launched its own esports team, which operates as part of its ‘Marketing and Engagement Brigade based at Fort Knox.’

The Army’s esports team continues to stream and compete in various tournaments, and the Army’s Twitch channel has also seen a significant increase in viewership.

According to Tomko, the response to the incentive program among soldiers has been extremely positive, with 20 soldiers already taking advantage of the offer out of 130 eligible soldiers.

‘The heightened interest in the press does not change the purpose of the program,’ Tomko explained. ‘Every soldier who is eligible for this program is already serving, already trained, and already fully qualified.’

Reenlistment incentives are a longstanding part of Army retention, and units often tailor them to their formations in ways that build morale and spark early conversations about career options.