INSTRUCTOR

Professor Marcello Alcantar is a 15-year veteran and native of Corpus Christi, Texas. He is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gold Medalist and NAS Whiting Field Nurse Lt. Cmdr.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy as an undesignated deck seamen in 1996. Alcantar’s first tour with the Navy was spent on the USS Bataan in Norfolk, Virginia, where he would eventually leave the command as a petty officer third class Information Systems Technician. After finishing his initial enlistment, he left the Navy and pursued outside endeavors but was quick to reminisce about his time in the service.

Six years later in 2006, he decided to rejoin the Navy through the nurse commissioning program, eventually earning his officer commission in 2009. Shortly after, he achieved another career milestone by earning his black belt in jiu-jitsu in 2011. In February, he competed at the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation Championship in New Orleans, placing first in two different weight categories. He also reached the rank of professional athlete.

Outside the office, he can often be found hitting the mats at Pace Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in Pace, which he owns and operates with his wife. Fittingly so, his post-retirement goals include both jiu-jitsu and continuing to help others. "After the Navy, I plan to continue practicing and training jiu-jitsu, not only for myself, but to teach self-defense to families and families with special needs.