Georgia Army base reportedly giving soldiers time off to play GTA VI. But there’s a catch: ‘Special 4-day pass’

A memo said to be from a U.S. Army base in Georgia is going around online, and it shows soldiers being offered days off to play Grand Theft Auto VI if they agree to re-enlist. The memo appears to be aimed at soldiers in the 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion (9th BEB), based at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

The offer was first shared on August 17 by the Instagram page “USA Army WTF!? Moments,” which posted a photo of the memo. It later spread to the Grand Theft Auto subreddit, where it picked up more attention.

The memo’s subject line reads: “Special Reenlistment Incentive – Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) 4-Day Pass.” It says the plan is meant to boost morale and reward soldiers who choose to stay in the Army longer.

Memo ties the time off directly to the game’s launch window

According to the alleged memo, soldiers who sign a new contract during a set window will get four days off timed to match the game’s release. The memo states: “Any Soldier who signs a re-enlistment contract between 1 August 2026 and 14 November 2026 will be authorized for a special 4-day pass.

This special pass is specifically designated to coincide with the highly anticipated release of the video game Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6). The exact dates of the 4-day pass will be coordinated between the Soldier and their chain of command, aligning with the official release date of the game November 20-23 2026.”

Grand Theft Auto VI is set to launch on November 19, and the four-day pass would run from November 20 to 23. The memo says the program is meant “to establish a special re-enlistment incentive program to promote retention, boost morale, and reward the continued dedication of the Soldiers within the 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion.” The launch is already generating major buzz, as anticipation for the game has led to a major announcement for an extended look on Netflix. 

The alleged offer is not open to every soldier at Fort Stewart. Based on the memo, only active-duty enlisted soldiers who are assigned or attached to the 9th BEB can apply for the pass. It does not appear to be a policy set by the wider Army. 

The memo is signed by Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Hodgson, who took command of the 9th BEB in July 2026. Kotaku said it has not been able to confirm that the memo is real. However, the outlet noted that several details in it match up, including the commander’s name, contact numbers listed, and the formatting, which outlet says soldiers on Reddit and elsewhere pointed out.

The pass’s dates align with the game’s launch, a timing that has prompted other arrangements, such as a couple signing a contract to limit interruptions. 

Soldiers discussing the memo online were apparently not shocked to see a commander use a major game release as a re-enlistment perk. The outlet pointed to past discussions on Reddit’s r/army, where soldiers have talked about unusual re-enlistment bonuses offered by different units, saying commanders can be under pressure to keep their retention numbers up.

Grand Theft Auto VI is expected to be one of the largest video game launches ever. Kotaku said it expects the release to lead to a rise in “sick days” being taken across various workplaces and institutions in November, and noted that some employers may plan around the launch instead.