A reported US Army memo suggests soldiers could receive a special four-day pass to celebrate the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI, although the authenticity of the offer has not been confirmed.
A US Army battalion is reportedly offering soldiers extra time off to play Grand Theft Auto VI as part of a special reenlistment incentive.
A written directive shared by the U.S Army WTF! Moments Instagram account appears to show a “Special Reenlistment Incentive – Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) 4-Day Pass”, offering eligible soldiers four consecutive days of leave around the highly anticipated game’s release.
According to the reported memo, any officer who signs a reenlistment contract between August 1, 2026 and November 14, 2026 would be authorised for the special pass.
The leave would be designed to coincide with the launch of Rockstar Games’ upcoming open-world crime title.
The document states that the exact dates would need to be arranged between the individual soldier and their chain of command, while no officer would be granted more than four consecutive days away from duty.
The memo is signed by commanding officer Ryan D. Hodgson, who appears to be a genuine Army officer.
However, the authenticity of the document has not been independently verified, leading to debate among gamers and military communities about whether the unusual incentive is real or an elaborate joke.
On Reddit, users have questioned whether a military unit would officially offer time off to play a video game, even one as highly anticipated as Grand Theft Auto VI.
If genuine, the offer would represent an unusual attempt to attract and retain personnel by recognising the cultural impact of one of gaming’s biggest franchises.
GTA VI is expected to become one of the largest entertainment launches in history when it arrives on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Rockstar Games has already generated huge interest around the sequel, with reports suggesting many fans are choosing to pre-order the more expensive Ultimate Edition rather than the standard version.
The developer has also confirmed that some digital bonuses and in-game features will be exclusive to the premium edition.
Ahead of launch, Rockstar is preparing a major marketing push, with an extended look at GTA VI scheduled to premiere on Netflix on August 27 before becoming available more widely online.
Whether or not soldiers receive official time off to explore the fictional state of Leonida, the reported memo highlights the enormous anticipation surrounding Rockstar’s next blockbuster release.
US Army battalion offers soldiers time off to play Grand Theft Auto VI
