From 2016 to 2020, he served as the Director General of the European Union Military Staff (EUMS).

He graduated from the Department of Public Safety at the Military Academy in 1987–1989 and studied as a postgraduate student in security at the University of Geneva in 1995–1996.

Between 1999 and 2000 he served as Director of the Armoured Forces in Parola before receiving a post as a national expert in Brussels to the EU's Temporary Military Staff for the period from 10 April to 30 November 2000.

[5] After returning to Finland, he took command of the Jaeger Brigade in Sodankylä until the end of January 2006.

[6] Pulkkinen was again appointed as Director General of the Defence Policy Department for another five-year period from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2020.

[9] On 8 June 2017, the Council decided to set up a Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) within the EUMS.