A Chief Petty officer from Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Daniel Alcala , set a new record in the physical fitness test at the Orange County Sheriff's Regional Training Academy and was ranked as the # 1 recruit in his class. Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Daniel Alcala was also elected honorary class sergeant by the faculty staff and his fellow classmates and he led the graduates in formation during the ceremony marking completion of their curriculum at the academy.

Alcala was the first in a pilot program to send Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach security personnel to the academy for additional training. Masters-at-Arms is the Navy's title for military police. Upon completion of full-time 6 month training at the academy, Alcala returned to active duty as part of the station force protection team at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach.

"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."

Academy Commander Lt. Jeff Bardzik said "Alcala's military bearing, uniform appearance, and physical condition made him 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.

The TRA fitness test is an extended obstacle course which is not part of the grading for the academy's program. Deputy Andy Stephens said the goal is "To recreate a real life activity, like being in a foot pursuit. It's not only a fitness test, but also a motivational tool for the recruits. The recruits like going through it, they know there is a record they can shoot for and they compete against each other."

The TRA includes a 1/3 mile run followed by an obstacle course which includes, among other things, climbing two block walls. They drag a 165 pound dummy for about 50 feet, jump through a window, do a 200 yard dash, 10 pull-ups, 20 pushups, 30 sit-ups, and end with another 1/3 mile sprint. Alcala's record breaking time for all this was 6 minutes and 31 seconds. The previous record was 6 minutes and 41 seconds.