He joined the Navy in 1905 after graduating from the Turkish Naval Academy an ensign.

[2] He also served as commander of War Fleet, and undersecretary to the Ministry of National Defense after 1948.

Ülgen received his offshore training from Heybetnüma ship and Asar-i Tevfik, and was subsequently appointed as an artillery officer at gunboat BAFRA, Peyk-i Şevket, Muin-i Zafer, Mesudiye, RV Barbaros Hayreddin Paşa, and Asar-i Tevfik.

He later appointed as a deputy chief and the commander of the Turkish Battle Fleet.

He became commander-in-chief of the Navy on 1 July 1949 and retired voluntarily a year after[2] he was succeeded by admiral Sadık Altıncan on 13 June 1950.