He also returned to the Surface fleet briefly for a year to be the Executive Officer of an Anti-Submarine Frigate.

He additionally was enrolled in the Fast Patrol Boat Tactical Education Course in Germany and the Destroyer Group Head Officer Course in the United States.

After being promoted to rear admiral (lower half) in 1997, he served as the Chief of General Plans and Principles Directorate in the Ministry of National Defence, Chief of General Plans, Policy and CIMIC position of NAVSOUTH Headquarters in Italy and Commander of the Turkish Northern Task Group, combining a Submarine Squadron and a Surface Missile Frigate & Destroyer squadron.

Known to be a tough disciplinarian with a high focus on physical fitness of junior officers, Admiral Bilgel became the 24th Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces in August 2011, and the only one to rise to the very top from a Submariner background.

His decorations include Turkish Armed Forces Honour Medal, Turkish Armed Forces Distinguished Service Medal, NATO Medal (Kosovo and Former Yugoslavia), the Republic of Korea National Security Legion of Merit, Pakistan Nishan-ı Imtiyaz (Military) and Romanian Naval Forces Emblem of Honor.