Army unit offers soldiers time off to play new 'Grand Theft Auto' if they reenlist

August 19, 2026 - 00:43

A military unit in Georgia is trying a new approach to keep troops in uniform, offering soldiers a chance to take paid time off to play the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI if they agree to reenlist. The offer comes from a battalion that is looking to boost retention numbers, and it has already sparked plenty of conversation both inside and outside the base.

Under the plan, soldiers who sign up for another tour of duty will get a few days of administrative leave once the game launches. The idea is to give them a real break to enjoy the highly anticipated release without having to burn their regular vacation days. The battalion commander said the move is about understanding what younger troops care about and showing that leadership is willing to adapt.

Not everyone is on board. Some senior officers worry that the offer looks gimmicky and could send the wrong message about military professionalism. But the unit's leadership argues that morale is a serious issue, and any legal tool that helps keep experienced soldiers in the ranks is worth trying. The game, developed by Rockstar Games, has been in production for years and is expected to be one of the biggest entertainment releases of the decade.

The offer is limited to soldiers in that specific battalion and is not a service-wide policy. Still, it has drawn attention from other branches, with some joking that they should offer similar perks for other big game launches. For now, the unit is waiting to see how many soldiers take the deal when the reenlistment window opens next month.