The release of Grand Theft Auto VI is approaching, and some companies are already approving leave for employees in advance, understanding that the release of such a game is a massive event and many will want to play Rockstar Games' new title. As it turns out, the US military is not lagging behind businesses and has also decided to arrange leave for personnel, but with its own specifics.
A post with a photo of a contract went viral in the gaming community. Soldiers of the 9th Engineer Battalion at Fort Stewart were offered a four-day leave for the release of Grand Theft Auto VI in November – to get it, servicemen are asked to extend their contracts.
The memo is addressed to "all service members of the 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion (9th BEB)", and its subject is "special re-enlistment bonus – 4-day leave coinciding with Grand Theft Auto VI".
The memo explains that this four-day leave will be valid from November 20 to 23. The idea is that it will help boost the morale of personnel:
[…the leave is intended] to create a special re-enlistment incentive program to increase manning, boost morale, and reward the unwavering dedication of the service members of the 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion.
Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled for release on November 19 this year on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles. Rockstar Games and Take-Two have not yet announced the release date or release window for the PC version of the game. It is possible that the US military will arrange a similar "promotion" for the PC release.