In a tragic turn of events, another drill sergeant stationed at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina, has been found dead, marking the second occurrence in just a span of two weeks. Staff Sergeant Zachary Melton, aged 30, was discovered in his vehicle on Saturday after failing to report for work, according to a press release shared with Newsweek.

Melton, attached to the 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, was pronounced dead by emergency medical services personnel shortly after they arrived at the scene. The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Melton's death, but no further information regarding the cause has been released at this time.

Fort Jackson officials have expressed their sorrow over the loss of Staff Sergeant Melton, with Brigadier General Jason Kelly, the commanding general at Fort Jackson, stating, "We are extremely saddened by the loss of Staff Sergeant Melton. Our thoughts are with his family and the soldiers of the Always Forward battalion during this very emotional time." Military chaplains and behavioral health personnel have been made available to offer support to Melton's unit.

This unfortunate incident follows the death of Staff Sergeant Allen Burtram, aged 34, who was also found deceased at Fort Jackson on December 8. Burtram, a member of the 2nd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment, was discovered by his unit members after failing to report for work. The Army Criminal Investigation Division is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding Burtram's death, though no evidence of foul play has been found thus far.

Notably, this marks the third time a drill sergeant has lost their life at Fort Jackson in 2023. On June 12, Staff Sergeant Jaime Contreras, aged 40, was found unresponsive on a land navigation course after going missing during a training exercise. Contreras was located just outside the boundaries of the training course and was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of death for Contreras was not disclosed.

Fort Jackson, often referred to as the main production center for basic combat training for the Army, is known for training around 50 percent of all U.S. soldiers entering the forces each year. Additionally, over 60 percent of women entering the Army are trained at Fort Jackson, according to the base's website.

As the Army Criminal Investigation Division continues to investigate these tragic events, the losses of these dedicated drill sergeants serve as a solemn reminder of the risks and challenges faced by those serving in the armed forces.