Ft. Benning Soldier Inspires Fellow Troops; General Petraeus

FORT BENNING, Ga -- Thursday was graduation day for the officer candidate school at Fort Benning.

There's an OCS graduation every thirteen weeks, so having one Thursday was not unusual, except that Thursday's ceremony was special because of the guest speaker and the exceptional soldier who asked him to come.

One hundred and fifty two soldiers filed into the Columbus Convention Center to receive their commission from the United States Army.

And if their uniforms seemed especially starched, and if they seemed to sit especially straight, perhaps it was because they were to be addressed by one of the most influential officers in the military: General David Petraeus.

"You represent the best our country has to offer," General Petraeus told the assembled, "and all of us here feel privileged to help recognize your accomplishments here today."

But soldiers graduate from Fort Benning's officer candidate school every thirteen weeks. Why would General Petraeus come Thursday.

"He is the reason i am here with you" said General Petraeus, pointing out, into the audience.

In December 2003 a car bomb exploded near U.S. troops in Baghdad. One soldier was badly wounded, losing an eye.
He was at graduation Thursday.

"Ranger Sprenger, it's an honor to be with you" General Patraeus said, "and your fellow candidates soon to be second lieutenants here today."

When Peter Sprenger was injured, he was serving in the 101st Airborne commanded by General David Petraeus. As he healed, Sprenger decided he did not want a desk job.

"After a while I don't see it as a disability at all," Peter Sprenger explained. "I actually don't really like people calling it a disability. Because I think with training and training myself you can do. I know I can do things just as well as some of the other guys I work with."

Sprenger asked his general to help him and Petraeus said he would; through ranger training and a second deployment to Iraq. And a national magazine cover. And eventually officer candidate's school.

So Ranger Sprenger asked General Petraeus to preside at Thursday's graduation and the general accepted with one condition. That he be the one to pin on Peter Sprenger's new rank.