Admiral BILGEL was born in Istanbul in 1952.                    

He graduated from the Naval High School in 1968 and the Naval Academy in 1972. After his training on board ships for a year, he first joined TCG ZAFER as a CIC Officer.

Between 1973-1997, he assumed a variety of duties during his sea tour in the order of Division Officer, Department Head and Executive Officer on board destroyers, fast patrol boats and frigates. He then served as the Commanding Officer of fast patrol boats TCG KARAYEL and TCG DOGAN and frigates
TCG YILDIRIM and TCG YAVUZ. Before his promotion to the flag ranks, he commanded the Fast Patrol Boat Division One.

During this period, he also graduated from the Turkish Naval War College and Armed Forces College. He additionally was enrolled in the Fast Patrol Boat Tactical Education Course in Germany and the Destroyer Department Head Officer Course in the U.S.A. His shore tour included staff duties in the Turkish Naval Forces Command Headquarters and NATO AFSOUTH Headquarters in Italy.

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 Defense, Chief of General Plans, Policy and CIMIC position of NAVSOUTH Headquarters in Italy and Commander of the Turkish Northern Task Group.

Having been promoted to Rear Admiral (Upper Half) in 2001, he served as the Commander of Istanbul Strait Command, Commander of the Fast Patrol Boat Group and Chief of Staff of the Fleet Command.

Upon his promotion to Vice Admiral in 2005, he first assumed the Command  Naval Training and Education between 2005-2007, and later served as the Chief of Staff, Turkish Naval Forces Command HQ between 2007-2009.

He was promoted to the rank of Admiral in 2009, and commanded the Turkish Fleet between 2009-2011.

Admiral BILGEL became the 24th Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces in August 2011.