U.S. Army Second Lieutenants Sean Camperson and Mathew Leegan completed the United States Army Ranger School, an intense 61-day combat oriented course designed to train Soldiers on small unit tactics, combat arms functional skills, and close combat engagement techniques, with a graduation on Aug. 24, 2012 at Fort Benning, Ga. Ranger School is considered the most challenging school the Army offers and pushes students to exhausting limits physically and mentally. Earning the coveted “Ranger Tab” is the goal of every infantry officer and its wearer is immediately recognized as someone who can go the distance, and then some. Camperson and Leegan both hail from Springfield.
They attended Robert E. Lee High School where each excelled academically and athletically, graduating in 2007. Camperson is a recipient of the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Campersons’ excellence in the classroom and athletic fields earned him a four-year Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship at Lehigh University located in Bethlehem, Pa. He was commissioned a second lieutenant of infantry upon graduation in May 2011. Camperson is the son of Brian and Cyndie Camperson, both of whom are retired U.S. Army officers residing in Springfield. Brian Camperson earned his Ranger Tab in 1981. Camperson is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Paratrooper and Air Assault Schools. Leegan excelled in the classroom as well and earned varsity letters in cross country, golf and swimming serving as team captain his senior year. Leegans’ accomplishments earned him an appointment to the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. He was commissioned a second lieutenant of infantry upon graduating in May 2011. Leegan was a member of the USMA’s men’s swimming team for all four years serving as its team captain his senior year. Leegan is the son of Michael and Tara Leegan residing in Springfield. Michael Leegan is a retired U.S. Navy officer. Leegan is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Paratrooper School.
Camperson and Leegan have been best friends since the fourth grade and remained so throughout college. Graduating from Ranger School together and having their parents in attendance was an honor both will cherish. Leegan was Camperson’s best man at his wedding in December, 2011.
Camperson is assigned to Fort Hood, Texas where he joins his wife Laura Eull Camperson (U.S. Army second lieutenant, engineers) who is currently on deployment to Afghanistan. Leegan is assigned to Fort Polk, La.