Petersen graduated from the
Norwegian Military Academy in 1861, and studied further at the
Norwegian Military College and at
Centralinstituttet in
Stockholm. His assignments included being head of
Den norske Garde in Stockholm from 1895 to 1901, and head of the Norwegian Military Academy from 1901 to 1907. He took actively part in the development of the sport of
skiing, was a co-founder of
Foreningen til Ski-Idrettens Fremme, served as judge at
Husebyrennet and
Holmenkollen Ski Festival, and chaired
Skiforsøkskommisjonen from 1895 to 1900. From 1885 to 1887 he chaired the sports association
Centralforeningen for utbredelse af idræt. ==Awards and decorations==