Seal Beach Sailor is #1 at Sheriff’s Academy

SEAL BEACH, Calif.

The Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach celebrated the graduation of its first master-at-arms (MA) from the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy April 27.

Elected honorary class sergeant by the faculty staff and his fellow classmates, Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Daniel Alcala led the graduates in formation during the ceremony marking the completion of the curriculum at the prestigious academy.

“By all standards, MA2 Alcala exceeded every expectation,” said Lt. Jim Foster, station force protection officer. “During his midterm and final performance reviews, both his peers and the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy staff ranked MA2 Alcala the number one recruit.”

Alcala participated in nearly 1,000 hours of intensive academic and physical training. His studies helped to broaden his understanding of law enforcement techniques through classes on the laws of arrest, use of force, first aid, CPR and community relations.

“It makes me a better all around MA in every way,” he said.

Academy Commander Lt. Jeff Bardzik said Alcala was an outstanding representative of the Navy. “He set a new record for our very challenging academy physical fitness test—TRA, Toughest Recruit Alive,” Bardzik said.

While Alcala’s accomplishments opened the door for other Seal Beach MAs to enroll in the academy, base Commanding Officer Capt. Jon Kurtz said the pilot program’s success is representative of other ongoing partnerships with key local organizations.

The station is also active in local multi-agency law enforcement counterterrorism programs including the Joint Regional Intelligence Center and the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center’s Terrorism Liaison Officer (TLO) programs. Both programs offer 24/7 logistical and operational support and real-time information gathering and sharing among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

Agents from 42 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies also train on the station’s small arms range, the last open range in the Los Angeles basin.

The station has also a long-standing relationship with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, working closely with the Sunset Bay Harbor Division to secure civilian boating traffic in Anaheim Bay when U.S. warships conduct ordnance evolutions.