Colonel Robert Ray Ulin was commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer upon graduation from the California Military Academy Officer Candidate School on 23 July, 1966. His first duty assignment was Platoon Leader, Battery B, 1st Battalion, 144th Field Artillery, California Army National Guard.

His notable duty assignments include: Commander, Battery A, 5th Battalion, 22nd Field Artillery, Vietnam; Deputy Senior District Advisor, IV Corps, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam; Instructor, United States Army Field Artillery School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Commander, Headquarters Battery, 56th Field Artillery Brigade, Schwaebisch Gmuend, Germany; Assistant S-3, 56th Field Artillery Brigade, Schwaebische, Gmuend, Germany; Historian, Strategist, Instructor & Author, United States Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Staff Officer and Executive Officer, Policy and Programs Branch, Policy Division, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe; Chief, Army Section, Office of Defense Cooperation, Belgium-Luxembourg, United States Embassy, Brussels, Belgium; Military Assistant to the Deputy Chairman of the Military Committee, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Brussels, Belgium; and Director, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Operations, United States Army War College. His last duty assignment was served as Director, International and Western European Studies, United States Army War College

His military education consists of: Pershing Officers Course; Command and General Staff College; Security Assistance Management Overseas Course; Army War College; and National Security Management, Kennedy School, Harvard University.

His highest military awards include: Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Soldiers Medal, Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device, Bronze Star Medal (2nd Award), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award), Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award), Air Medal (6th Award), and Combat Infantryman Badge.