Ulrich has served in a broad range of sea and shore assignments.

As a Surface Warfare Officer, he has served seven sea tours with units of the Atlantic Fleet, and has participated in eight deployments to South America, West Africa, Northern and Southern Europe, and the Persian Gulf.

In 2001, he was selected to lead the revolution in United States Navy training as Commander, Task Force Excel.

A native of Southampton, Pennsylvania, Ulrich is a 1972 graduate of the United States Naval Academy.

In 1981, he earned a Master of Science degree in Physics from the United States Naval Postgraduate School, and has also studied at the National War College in Washington, D.C.