Master Sergeant Luis O. Arce enlisted in the Marine Corps in July 1977 and completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego in November 1977.  After graduating from the Basic Music Course at the Armed Forces School of Music, Norfolk, Virginia, he was assigned as a trumpet player with the 1^st Marine Brigade Band, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii until his honorable discharge in 1981.  Corporal Arce then served in the Marine Corps Reserves as an Aircraft Mechanic with Marine Air Group 41 in Glenview, Illinois. 

In May 1983, he returned to active duty as a trumpet player and with assignments to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Band, San Diego, California; the III Marine Amphibious Force Band, Okinawa, Japan; and the 4^th Marine Aircraft Wing Band, New Orleans, Louisiana.  He then served as the assistant Drum Major with the Marine Corps Band, Quantico, Virginia. 

After graduating from the Intermediate Course at the Armed Forces School of Music in 1993, he was transferred to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Band, Parris Island, South Carolina where he served as trumpet section leader and assistant Drum Major.  Selected for Drum Major in 1997, Gunnery Sergeant Arce was assigned to the 1^st Marine Division Band, Camp Pendleton, California.  In April 2000 Master Sergeant Arce was transferred to the III MEF Band, Okinawa, Japan and he assumed his current duties the Drum Major with Marine Band San Diego in March 2001.

            His professional schools include the Non-Commissioned Officer’s School, the Staff Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCO) Academy and the Advanced SNCO Academy.  Additionally, Master Sergeant Arce possesses a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems and Business Administration from Park College, and has been inducted into the Pinnacle Honor Society for exceptional academic achievement.

            Master Sergeant Arce’s personal awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star, the Navy Achievement Medal, the Meritorious Unit Citation with two Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Medal with five Bronze Stars, the National Defense Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with three Bronze Stars.