In 1712 he was appointed commodore of the squadron in Jamaica.

Francis was appointed commodore and commander-in-chief at the Leeward Islands in 1748.

He was appointed commodore at Santo Domingo in August 1796.

He went on to serve as a King's Messenger before being appointed Commodore of Convoys.

On 14 February 1772, he was appointed commodore and commander-in-chief on the Newfoundland station, which office he held for three years.

Captain Thomas Hardie was appointed Commodore of the fleet of country ships.

In 1851 he was appointed Commodore of the West Coast of Africa Station.

He left the Namur in 1785 and was appointed commodore of the North American Station's base at Halifax.

After nearly seven years ashore, Bullen returned to active duty on 12 December 1823, when he was appointed commodore on the west coast of Africa.

He was appointed Lieutenant in 1777, Post-Captain in 1779 and Commodore in 1796.