On the other hand, many people reached out and showed me support. Also, approximately one month ago, I walked out of my office during Deans Hour to find CDT Rapone lying downperpendicular to the wall in Thayer Hall, with his legs stretching out across the hallway. Even while still a cadet, Rapones online postings alarmed a West Point history professor, who wrote Rapone up, saying his online postings were red flags that cannot be ignored. Rapone was disciplined but still allowed to graduate. The set up is that Heffington is in his office grading papers. Playing the denouncement game toward those soldiers isnt politically viable, nor does it make much sense. Within that time period, Marco Rubio wrote a letter to the acting secretary of the army, Ryan McCarthy. I figured this was the least I could do if I was serious about my own beliefs. But the men I was surrounded by took active pleasure in killing other human beings and dehumanizing people because they have different cultures or a different religion. (@punkproletarian) September 25, 2017. We were just persecuting and terrorizing some of the most exploited people on Earth with one of the most technologically advanced militaries in history. We have one of the most technologically advanced militaries of all time and all we were doing is brutalizing and invading and terrorizing a population that had nothing to do with what the United States claimed was a threat, he told the AP. PROLOGUE: Since the beginning of the Republic, the American people have frequently made the mistake of voting for people that tell them what they WANT to hear, and not what , UPDATE January 17, 2020: Capt. Immediately, I had friends and family members reaching out to me. The next morning, one of the field-grade officers said to me, So, I hear youre a fan of Colin Kaepernick, and I thought, Oh boy, here we go. Then my chain of command pulled me aside and told me I was under investigation. The thread has since been deleted. Of course my military career is dead in the water. They read me my rights and told me I had the right to an attorney. Army officials at the Pentagon declined to comment on the details of Rapones discharge, citing privacy concerns. And even if youre not in combat, youre supplying the bullets, youre supplying the food, to aid in the war effort. Rapone, who was previously enlisted as anArmy Ranger and served in Afghanistan before attendingWest Point and becoming an officer, told the Associated Pressthat he was reprimanded for conduct unbecoming an officer, and an investigation concluded that he advocated for a socialist revolution while insulting senior military officials. Spenser Rapone He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 and was assigned as an assistant machine gunner in Khost Province. The United States Army is so impressed with Spenser Rapone, they decided to promote him to first lieutenant. A recently retired CIA officer remarked to SOFREP that right now our counter-intelligence is so bad that we are only catching the dumb ones, the people stupid enough to out themselves on social media or who mail classified documents to news outlets, Mr. Murphy continued. Spenser Rapone, the former second lieutenant whose Communism will win photos went viral in 2017, has received an other than honorable discharge from the Army. He added that its also possible the military academy could seek repayment of the cost of Rapones education because he didnt serve the full five-year service required upon graduation. Who Was Protecting the Commie West Point Graduate And Why. It is uncertain whether or not Rapones career -or at least experiences at Ranger School- will be hindered upon the discovery of his activities by Army officials. From there I began to realize the issue was a structural phenomenon that one good person cant effect change when the system is inherently wrong. He was nominated out of high school by then-US Rep. Jason Altmire in 2010. Spenser Rapone is a former Army Ranger and Infantry Officer who resigned his commission in June 2018 due to his opposition to United States imperialism. But he put some skin in the game, and he suffered for it. The Army kicked him out. I interpreted this to be a thinly veiled threat, as if he was planning to take some sort of action against me. I did well in high school, and I might have been able to go to a state school, but I really couldnt afford it. Rapone graduated from West Point as a member of the class of 2016, but before entering the Academy he served for two years as an 11B Infantryman in the 75th Ranger Regiment, deploying to Afghanistan in that capacity. So he goes to the office: There were four cadets in the office, three of whom were inuniform and one in civilian clothes. You signed up and went to West Point, in part, for an education. Note here. The Chevron Doctrine: Will the Supreme Court's Ruling Protect Liberty? It could be anything from sympathy to his views to gutlessness to gay sex. West Point released a statement after Rapone posted the photos, saying his actions in no way reflect the values of the US Military Academy or the US Army. And US Sen. Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican, called on the secretary of the Army to remove Rapone from the officer ranks. Lets accommodate him. But Army spokeswoman April Cunningham said that appropriate action was taken.. As such we U.S. government destroying the dollars value through inflation. There were fumes of idealism still left, he said, and he accepted one of the few prized slots to the academy reserved for enlisted soldiers. In fact, in the documents about my investigation, one of the charges against me was about advocating for military labor unions. Can Floridas gay teachers show photos? In the pictures, he was wearing a t-shirt depicting famous socialist Che Guevara under his uniform and had also written the West Point released a statement after Rapone posted the photos, saying his actions in no way reflect the values of the U.S. Military Academy or the U.S. Army. And U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican, called on the secretary of the Army to remove Rapone from the officer ranks. Even while still a cadet, Rapones online postings alarmed a West Point history professor, who wrote Rapone up, saying his online postings were red flags that cannot be ignored. Rapone was disciplined but still allowed to graduate. Despite his growing disillusionment about the military, he applied and got in. In allhonesty, I was waiting for him to simply say, Yes, Sir. Youre proof that resistance is still possible within an all-volunteer military, but how do we create more of that? Rapone said his journey to communism grew out of his experiences as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan before he was accepted into the U.S. Military Academy. Schools, roads and statues bear their names across the country. He hears a loud argument coming from another office. WebSpenser Rapone, a former US Army Ranger and Infantry Officer, was kicked out of the military for posting a photo of himself at his West Point graduation ceremony with an antiwar sign under his hat. We wouldnt tolerate that from a private, why would we tolerate it from someone who is being trained to hold a commission. He was nominated out of high school by then-U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire in 2010. Who else is yelling? I got no response to my question. He explained that he took the offending selfies at his May 2016 West Point graduation ceremony and kept them to himself until last September, when he tweeted them in solidarity with NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who was taking heat for kneeling for the national anthem to raise awareness of racism. Using your honor against you is a West Point concept. Spenser Rapone tells how he discovered that the military he joined wasn't what Hollywood and commercials had made it out to be. An Independent, Progressive Journal of News and Opinion. Many other military personnel also tweeted in favor of Kaepernick, although most were supporting free speech, not communism. Copyright 2023 RedState.com/Salem Media. During the interview, he expressed patriotism and looked just like a top-notch candidate. NCAA basketball referee pleads guilty to molesting teen bo Woman has 'loud, full body orgasm' in the middle of LA concert, Accused drunk driver 'strongly refused' sobriety test after crash that killed bride, Bride killed, groom seriously hurt by drunk driver just minutes after leaving reception, The best-dressed celebs at the 2023 Met Gala: Rihanna, Gisele Bndchen, more, Kim Kardashians Met Gala 2023 look sparks comparisons to Playboy cover, Kim Kardashian, Pete Davidson reunite at Met Gala 9 months after breakup, Khristina Williams previews the New York Liberty's 2023 WNBA season, Elon Musk Tells Bill Maher Woke Mind Virus Is Dangerous On Real Time, Katy Perry will be temporarily replaced on 'American Idol' amid drama. One officer told me that he had had serious misgivings about CDT Rapone for a long time, and he proceeded to show me CDT Rapones Facebook page. One first class cadet in uniform stood up, admired to taking part in the argument, and apologizedfor being so loud. From his various online rantings and posts, it appears that CDT Rapone is an avowed Marxist, which is completely out of line with the values of this nation and its Army. And those views only hardened during his studies of history as one of the academys Long Gray Line.. When theyre faced with those situations, they might find the courage to resist, or find a way out. He enlisted as an infantryman out of high school in 2010, and deployed to Afghanistan in 2011. Again, Im trying to imagine what is happening here because Rapones insubordinate behavior seems to have been widely known and no one cared. Yes, there were attempts to create military labor unions. There were no red flags of any kind.. If youre able to articulate what that will do to you as a human being, and how youll be forced to live with that and thats not scare-mongering, its speaking to what they will actually have to execute as a soldier in the US military that can at least plant the seed for them to grapple with these questions. A lot of guys were getting excited at the prospect that we might go into North Korea or possibly Iran. Prior to West Point, the New Castle, PA native enlisted in the Army where he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 54th Infantry Regiment at Fort Benning for basic training and infantry training in 2010. But we also had a large student movement that was providing a support network, with coffeehouses and structures to welcome soldiers who were resisting back into civilian life and treating them with the respect they deserve for resisting. Greg Rinckey, an attorney specializing in military law, said its rare for an officer out of West Point to receive an other-than-honorable discharge. Rapone said his journey to communism grew out of his experiences as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan before he was accepted into the U.S. Military Academy. Spenser Rapone was accepted to West Point in 2012, graduated in 2016 and received an other than honorable discharge in June. Thoughts like yours go through a lot of soldiers heads, but its the repercussions that keep them from acting on them. In the old days, the military would error on the side of caution. WE PROVIDE AN UPDATE AND LESSONS LEARNED. But as bad as that is, theres something very different about taking a human life yourself, let alone if you dont understand what cause its serving. He waits for a senior ranking cadet or one of the TAC officers to quieten it down. Greg Rinckey, an attorney specializing in military law, said its rare for an officer out of West Point to receive an other-than-honorable discharge. So I took those pictures both as my own individual act of rebellion, but also so that if there was ever an opening, I could use them for some larger, political purpose. knightro2323 6 yr. ago. Friday, June 8, 2018, Click Colpo had the benefit of a free college education (USMA Class of 1978) but made sure he never went into harms way during 30 years of active duty. You are not allowed to be in an academic building in civilian clothes. As I was sayingthis, I noticed that CDT Rapone was not looking me in the eye. Left: Army 2nd Lt. Spenser Rapone graduating from West Point in May of 2016. The Washington Times Anyway Heffington and Rampone go into the hallway and bitch at each other some more. Note that right now Heffington has started couching the statement in a near apologetic tone. But he wasnt accepted to West Point, so Rapone enlisted in the Army. WE WANT ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THOSE WHO CONSPIRED TO WRONGFULLY IMPRISON THIS OUTSTANDING AIR FORCE OFFICER. But what happens is that because in the US our civic religion is patriotism, folks who at one time had nothing but hate for it they couldnt stand being in the field, waking up for [physical training] when they get out, theyre placed on a pedestal as a veteran. He told the AP he tweeted the photos in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick, the former NFL quarterback who knelt during the national anthem in protest of police brutality, which itself drew intense criticism from President Trump for perceived slights against the military. The former West Point cadet who called himself Commie Beebop on Twitter rejoined civilian life without an honorable discharge. He can pay back the U.S. taxpayer for fraud, then grab the next space-available flight to Seoul, Korea. Rapone was branded the commie cadet, and his career as a newly minted officer never recovered after assignment to Fort Drum. I would encourage all soldiers who have a conscience to lay down their arms and join me and so many others who are willing to stop serving the agents of imperialism and join us in a revolutionary movement., Rapone said his journey to communism grew out of his experiences as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan before he was accepted into the US Military Academy. The war resisters from Vietnam were not all draftees; a substantial portion were volunteers. Spenser Rapone WebLatest news and commentary on Spenser Rapone including photos, videos, quotations, and a biography. But he wasnt accepted to West Point, so Rapone enlisted in the Army. I asked CDT Rapone what made him thinkit was okay to reply to a direct question from an officer with a response like that, and he replied, Well you dont have the rightto barge into an office and interrupt a conversation you dont have anything to do with!. Spenser displays his 1st Ranger Battalion combat patch while he poses for a photo with other cadets at West Point. Mr. Rapone retweeted the message. The next time I see you in thisbuilding, youd better be wearing a uniform. I apologize., Alex Jones challenged me to a boxing match. Yes, Spenser with an s Rapone is now a Ph.D. candidate at that hotbed of communism, University of Texas-Austin. It has its genesis in one of the cheating scandals and it goes like this. The opening I saw was the one-year anniversary of Colin Kaepernicks protest of police brutality. I replied Okay, thats one person. We saw people hijack helicopters within the ranks to drop propaganda flyers over military bases. He ultimately resigned his commission, and was separated from the Army in June 2018 with an Other Than Honorable discharge.. But they said no, and that I could either go to a board of inquiry, which is basically an adversarial trial one side presents their case, I present mine or I could leave unconditionally. Again, his demeanor was one of utter contempt forme, and apparently for the expectation that he would conduct himself in a professional manner. The content of this webpage may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written consent of Bright Mountain Media, Inc. which may be contacted at [email protected], ticker BMTM. Top brass at Fort Drums 10th Mountain Division accepted Rapones resignation Monday after an earlier reprimand for conduct unbecoming of an officer. Rapone said an investigation found he went online to advocate for a socialist revolution and disparage high-ranking officers and US officials. Our politically correct Army got a whole bunch of people killed because they were too squeamish to remove a terrorist from the ranks. Its a big question, but how do you see soldiers organizing now? Spenser Rapone, a former second lieutenant whose Communism Will Win photo rocked the internet in 2017 after being featured by this publication, has received an Other Than Honorable discharge from the U.S. Army. The Pentagon budget suggests otherwise. Civilians were detouring around his legs asthey tried to make it down the hallway. One West Point teacher -LTC Robert Heffington- produced a scathing description of Rapone in a sworn statement regarding his concerns of having a Marxist cadet. Web1. VOLUME IV: OIG NOW A CO-CONSPIRATOR AGAINST JANE DOE WHEN A CONGRESSIONAL STAFFER INQUIRES, OIGs OFFICE SAID JANE DOE NEVER SENT US A COMPLAINT A WEEK LATER OIG SUDDENLY FINDS MISSING COMPLAINT, BUT ALTERS THE DATE THE COMPLAINT WAS RECEIVED ALL ORCHESTRATED TO PROTECT CULPABLE ARMY OFFICERS TRANSFERRING OUT THE BACKDOOR, DONATIONS ARE WISELY APPLIED, AND DEEPLY APPRECIATED, SPENSER RAPONE RECEIVES OTHER-THAN-HONORABLE DISCHARGE FROM THE ARMY, LT. GEN. KURT SONNTAG LOWERS ARMY TRAINING STANDARDS TO RAISE GRADUATION RATES SOCIETAL DECLINE INSIDIOUSLY OOZES INTO MILITARY, WHICH IS SUBTLY ERODING AMERICAN MILITARY POWER, UNITED STATES NAVY CAPTAIN CHARGED WITH OBSTRUCTION, CONCEALING MATERIAL FACTS, FALSE OFFICIAL STATEMENTS, FALSIFYING OFFICIAL RECORDS NO CHARGES FOR ADULTERY AND CONDUCT UNBECOMING, VADM John S. Disher Abuse of Government Credit Cards & Converting Naval Aircraft into a Family Airline, Capt. So, despite that, Rapone was accepted at West Point where his faculty mentor was one Rasheed Hosein, a professor of Middle East history, according to PJ Media which reports that Hosein is on administrative leave and hes being investigated for something unrelated to Rapone, were told. The United States Army is so impressed with Spenser Rapone, they decided to promote him to first lieutenant. Spenser Rapone I want to shift gears. Its now in US military code that thats illegal. Openly Communist US Army officer If he does leave the Army, or if West Point ever had the guts to prosecute him under the UCMJ from the looks of their tepid, wimpy statement, dont hold your breath waiting for action he can always get a high-paid pundits spot on CNN or MSNBC bashing President Trump. MilitaryCorruption.com has been watching this case closely. Officially, the Army said in a statement only that it conducted a full investigation and appropriate action was taken., An unrepentant Rapone summed up the fallout in yet another tweet Monday that showed him extending a middle finger at a sign at the entrance to Fort Drum, accompanied by the words, One final salute., I consider myself a revolutionary socialist, the 26-year-old Rapone told the Associated Press in a series of interviews. Top brass at Fort Drum accepted Rapones resignation Monday after an earlier reprimand for conduct unbecoming of an officer. Rapone said an investigation found he went online to advocate for a socialist revolution and disparage high-ranking officers. We've received your submission. I knew there could be repercussions, said Rapone, who is scheduled to speak at a socialism conference in Chicago next month. You posted it with a hashtag, #VeteransforKaepernick. Youre essentially guilty until proven innocent. Spenser Rapone First, when youre talking to a teenager about this subject, theres no effective argument that says, Youre too smart for this, you could do better, etc. Thats usually condescending. Less than a year after Rapones images drew a firestorm of vitriol and even death threats, the second lieutenant who became known as the commie cadet is officially out of the U.S. Army with an other-than-honorable discharge. Spenser Rapone, the former second lieutenant whose Communism will win photos went viral in 2017, has received an other than honorable discharge from the Army. But we need to find a way to bring them in, create spaces for them to name their experiences, and then use their knowledge and abilities at organizing and working on a team to support emancipatory movements and socialist politics. But his interview with the AP shed light on how he went from a graduate of one of the most exclusive and traditional institutions on Earth to a pariah within the ranks before being mustered out. While in uniform, Spenser Rapone advocated for communism and political violence, and expressed support and sympathy for enemies of the United States, Rubio said Monday, adding Im glad to see that they have given him an other-than-honorable discharge.. It didnt take me long to realize that my experiences did not reflect that in the slightest.. There are a lot of veterans both active duty and not that feel like I do., In this May 2016 photo provided by Spenser Rapone, Rapone raises his left fist while displaying a sign inside his hat that reads "Communism will win," after graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. After Rapone, who was already a combat veteran after serving with the First Ranger Battalion in Afghanistan, posted the photos on Facebook, the Army dismissed him with an "other than honorable" discharge. Right now Im starting to wonder what the f***ing f*** is going on because Rampone should be braced at attention and saying yes, sir a lot. Army Commie Cadet Gets Promoted to After completing Airborne school at Fort Benning, he completed the rigorous Ranger Assessment and Selection Program and was assigned to the the 1st Ranger Battalion in Savannah, Georgia. RedState member since 2004. Toward the end of his deployment, he learned West Point fulfills a certain quota of enlisted soldiers every year. On Monday, the Armys 10th Mountain Division accepted the resignation of 2nd Lt. Raponeless than a year after he posted photos of himself at his 2016 graduation, posing in a Che Guevara shirt under his uniform, along with a fist salute to underline a message written in his cap: Communism will win., The photos, which Raponeposted to social media last September, created a fierce backlash, sparked death threats and drew calls from Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) to investigate Rapones online writing last fall. His expulsion came after a viral tweet showing him clad in uniform, fist raised displaying a There are a lot of veterans both active duty and not that feel like I do., In this May 2016 photo provided by Spenser Rapone, Rapone raises his left fist while displaying a sign inside his hat that reads "Communism will win," after graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. After Rapone, who was already a combat veteran after serving with the First Ranger Battalion in Afghanistan, posted the photos on Facebook, the Army dismissed him with an "other than honorable" discharge. He could have been comfortable for the rest of his life. While waiting for the verdict, I was told I couldnt say anything publicly. HIS STORY IS A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF GROSS MILITARY INJUSTICE. Rapone was an enlisted man who served briefly in 1st Ranger Battalion, was, according to reports, booted out of that unit, applied for a West Point appointment via the Military Academy Prep School from former Democrat Congressman Jason Altmire, graduated West Point and was commissioned in 2016. What kind of bizarro world is that? Rapone said his journey to communism grew out of his experiences as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan before he was accepted into the U.S. Military Academy. Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both, and shall be ineligible for employment by the United States or any department or agency thereof, for the five years next following his conviction. Some more RUMINT on Comrade Rapone Has Rapone broken the law by just being a Communist on active duty in the military? At, best, Cadet Rapones online ideological screeds reveal the philosophical infatuations of a precocious adolescent, rather like a school boy who cannot stop spouting off about Nietzsche, he wrote in a statement disseminated by SOFREP. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, West Point removes Confederate monuments, including Robert E. Lee, Worthy prof motive -- a salute to an NYU legend, West Point should reconsider KKK plaque on science building: congressional panel, US Army teaching Critical Race Theory to West Point cadets: report, summed up the fallout in yet another tweet Monday. Good riddance. To bookmark your favorite articles and follow your favorite authors, please, Now you can personalize your Truthdig experience. It is by a former Assistant Professor of History at West Point, Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Robert Heffington. He is also a teaching assistant, which gives him a platform to inflict his twisted worldview upon students who might think that if they dont go along, their grades could suffer. Trump says North Korea is no longer a nuclear threat. To tell them that theres more to your skills as a soldier than firing a weapon. Whether youre in combat arms or not, theres a tangible chance that youll be killed. Rapone previously served as an enlisted infantryman before enrolling at West Point in 2012. NEW ARMY BROCHURE ABOUT SVC RIGHTS ATTEMPTS TO DECEIVE ARMY PERSONNEL BY OMITTING CRITICAL INFORMATION. If the latter is true, he is a coward and a hypocrite who refuses to discontinue his association with an institution that, as he sees it, is a tool of an inherently unjust, immoral, and imperialist state. It appears he didnt. ARMY LTC JACOB SWEATLAND MAY HAVE A FETISH FOR WATCHING LITTLE GIRLS GET UNDRESSED. Even some of the true believers who claim they enjoy it or relish it deep down, they know what theyre doing. From Kimpo Field there, well fix him up with a patched-up parachute and drop him over Pyongyang. he perpetually needs a haircut, andhe never seems to get one even after being corrected for it. He said I should have my commission revoked, my degree pulled unclear how that latter demand would work and called for a larger investigation of other troops.
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