A circulating memo reportedly shows a US Army battalion offering troops a four-day pass to play Grand Theft Auto VI as an incentive for re-enlistment, though the document remains unconfirmed.
According to reports originating from Kotaku, an online memo appears to stem from the 9th Engineer Battalion located at Fort Stewart, Georgia. The document is dated July 28 and bears the signature of commanding officer Lt. Col. Ryan D. Hodgson.
Source Reliability
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ☆ ☆ (3/5 - Established single source report)
The claim relies on a single leaked document shared via the Instagram account 'US Army WTF Moments' and reported by Kotaku. While neither the Army nor the specific battalion has publicly confirmed the authenticity of the memo, some details align, including Hodgson recently taking command of the unit. Reddit users remain split on whether the document is genuine.
The Claim and Available Evidence
The memo states that soldiers who re-enlist between August 1 and November 14 can receive a four-day pass running from November 20 through November 23. GTA 6 is scheduled to launch for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on November 19, 2026, published by Rockstar Games.
Troops would still need to follow standard administrative protocols if the policy is real. Requests must go through the Army's personnel system with approval from a company commander. The pass cannot be combined with other leave, and soldiers flagged for administrative issues, physical fitness failures, or body composition standards are ineligible until those matters are resolved.
Credibility Limits and What Would Confirm It
Official confirmation from military public affairs officers or a formal statement from the Fort Stewart installation would verify the document's authenticity. Until official branches comment or service members confirm the policy is active within their units, the memo's status as a genuine retention incentive remains unverified.