Vice-Admiral (VAdm) Luís Carlos de Sousa Pereira joined the Portuguese Naval Academy in 1978.

As a Warfare Officer he was assigned Deputy Operations, Communications and Principal Warfare Officer (PWO(C)) in major fleet escorts, and part of the commissioning crew of the “Vasco da Gama” frigate, where later he also served a two and a half year tour as XO (Executive Officer). In March 2005 Sousa Pereira took over as the commanding officer of “Vasco da Gama” sister ship, the "Álvares Cabral".

Ashore, he was the Head of the Information’s Branch at the Azores Maritime Command, Deputy Ops \ Naval Operations in the Azores Joint Command / ISCOM AZORES, and Deputy Control Officer Portugal in the Regional Command Atlantic in Lisbon.
Other appointments included: a tour of duty in the Chief of the Navy Staff’s office as Military Assistant; CHOD’s Military Assistant (Navy); Strategic and Force Planning officer at the Portuguese (PRT) Navy Staff Plans and Policy Division; Director of the PRT Navy Warfare Centre; Director of the PRT Navy Operation Intelligence Centre; Frigate Squadron Commander; and Commander of the Portuguese Navy Standing Task-group (COMPRTMARFOR).

In 2010, VAdm Sousa Pereira completed the Flag Officer Promotion Course and was appointed to the PRT Navy Staff as Head of the Plans and Policy Division. During this time he was also the Chairman of the NATO Specialist Team on Harbor Protection, a group in charge of putting together a HP Expeditionary Capability within the framework of a NATO Smart Defense project. The project was later commended as a reference in leadership and management.

As a Rear-admiral he was the commandant of PRT Navy Marine Corps, where he led a profound restructure plan. Promoted to his present rank in September 2016 Vice-admiral Sousa Pereira was appointed Fleet Commander.
Throughout his military career he was awarded several citations and commendations, and decorated, with the National Military Order of Avis, Distinguish Military Services (6 times), the 2nd class Military Merit, 2nd and 3th class Naval Cross, the Special Campaigns Military Medal, the Interfet Military Campaign and the East Timor Solidarity Medal.

Additional information: http://www.marinha.pt/pt-pt/media-center/noticias-destaques/Paginas/Marinha-tem-novo-Comandante-Naval.aspx