Marine drill instructor found dead in Florida hotel room while on duty

A U.S. Marine Corps drill instructor assigned to the recruit training depot at Parris Island was found dead in a Florida hotel room on May 30, military officials confirmed Tuesday.

Sgt. Albert Haynes II, 24, was in Starke, Florida, to support a poolee function organized by Marine Corps Recruiting Station-Jacksonville when the incident occurred, according to a Marine Corps spokesperson.

The cause of death has not yet been released, and the Bradford County Sheriff’s Department has opened an investigation. No foul play has been publicly suspected at this stage.

Haynes, a native of Austin, Pennsylvania, served as a drill instructor with Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion at the time of his death. He was part of the elite corps responsible for molding civilians into Marines — a role that carries intense physical and psychological demands.

He enlisted as an 0811 Field Artillery Cannoneer and completed the Field Artillery Basic Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, after initial training. His career decorations included the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (with gold star in lieu of a second award), the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (with two bronze stars), and the National Defense Service Medal.

The death has sent a ripple through the close-knit drill instructor community at Parris Island, one of the Marine Corps’ two recruit training depots. Officials said mental health and support resources have been made available to personnel who may be affected.