77.7 F
Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesCOL. MARION PETERSEN NAMED TO VIARNG POSITION

COL. MARION PETERSEN NAMED TO VIARNG POSITION

December 13, 2001 – Col. Marion Yvonne Petersen, a resident of St. Croix, was assigned on Nov. 1, 2001, as the United States Property and Fiscal Officer for the U.S. Virgin Islands. As the USPFO, Petersen is accountable for all of the federal funds and property in the possession of the National Guard of the Virgin Islands.
Petersen began her military career in 1979 when she joined the Virgin Islands National Guard and received a direct commission as a lieutenant. She has held more than 15 military positions. Her staff tours include aide-de-camp, information management officer, public information officer, chief of staff, and supervisory logistics management specialist. She was promoted to colonel in August 1999.
She graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree in education from the University of the Virgin Islands. The daughter of Edna and the late Pierpont Petersen, she was formerly an English teacher at St. Croix Central High School.
Petersen's responsibilities are to provide financial and logistical resources for the maintenance of federal property. She is bonded to the federal government. She must ensure that all Federal funds are obligated and expended in conformance with applicable guidelines and provide resources and assistance required supporting mobilization of VIARNG until they report to their mobilization station.
The position presently known as USPFO originated in the National Defense Act of June 3, 1916. A letter explaining the motivation of Congress to establish the position said in part: "Prior to the national defense act of June 3, 1916, Federal property to equip the Organized Militia was issued to the governors of the respective States, who were not required to be bonded for the safekeeping of and proper accounting of such property… Resulting losses of such property to great degree, due to lack of proper care and indifference on the part of certain States, without provision for requiring reimbursement to the Federal Government, convinced the War Department that the system was not properly protecting the Government's interest."
Hence provision was made in the Act to designate a specific officer to be known as USPFO.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.