After graduation in 1943, he served as Maiyet Memuru for Giresun Valiliği and Bucak Müdürlüğü at Yavuzkemal.
Following his military service, he served as Deputy Governor in Keşap, Şenkaya, and Şebinkarahisar.
In 1960, when he was the Governor in Yalova, a military coup toppled the governing Adnan Menderes administration.
This event set the stage for entry of Mr. Erkmen into the Turkish political arena.
In the following 19 years he participated in active politics and represented Giresun in the Parliament, winning a seat in all of the subsequent general elections.