Amid accusations of sexual harassment, abuse of rank and the imminent retirement of its commander, the V.I. National Guard got a new acting adjutant general Friday when Gov. Charles W. Turnbull appointed Col. Cleave McBean to the post.
McBean, who is now assistant director of Veterans Affairs, will assume command after Maj. Gen. Jean Romney retires at the end of the month, according to Turnbull.
McBean will take over VING as the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C., is investigating allegations of sexual harassment in the local Air National Guard, which along with the Army National Guard makes up VING.
Capt. Osbert Potter, VING public information officer, told WSTX Radio on Friday that charges have been brought against Lt. Col. David Stickley, commander of the 285th Combat Communications Squadron, and Lt. Col. Wilfred Davis, the squadron’s executive support staff officer, alleging misuse of authority, discrimination and civil rights abuses.
"The results of that we will not know until the Air National Guard completes the investigation," Potter said.
Meanwhile, VING’s second-highest-ranking officer, Col. Edward Charles, has been on leave since March following accusations of sexual harassment, The V.I. Daily News reported. An investigation into those allegations is ongoing.
McBean’s active military career spans 25 years, including a tour in Vietnam. He enlisted in VING in 1977 as a sergeant and accepted a commission as a second lieutenant later that year.
He will serve as acting adjutant general until a permanent successor to Romney is appointed, Turnbull said.
A native of St. Thomas, McBean earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from the then-College of the Virgin Islands.