The right-wing hysteria was quickly whipped up: publications like the Daily Caller and Infowars ran stories. Of course my military career is dead in the water. That didnt faze me too much, but my family was worried, and began to get alt-right trolls trying to dox me and find their information. Copyright 2023 RedState.com/Salem Media. At Socialism 2018 I'll be sitting down with with Spenser Rapone, the US Army Ranger, Afghan-war combat vet, recent West Point graduate, and now war-resister, who sparked nation-wide fury after publicly supporting Colin Kaepernick and Socialism during his West Point graduation. Hes not just reporting Rapone, hes going a long distance to ensure that he is seen as blameless. But he put some skin in the game, and he suffered for it. We call upon Rapones fellow soldiers in the 10th to give him a proper haircut and attitude adjustment. This launched a separate investigation back at West Point: hundreds of cadets who were even remotely associated with me were interviewed, and they were asked about their politics. I proceeded to say Ijust asked a question and l want an answerwho else is yelling in here? At that point CDT Spenser Rapone (the only cadet wearingcivilian clothes), who was seated in the comer of the office, replied (while still seated) by saying, Were in a private conversationhere.. HIS STORY IS A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF GROSS MILITARY INJUSTICE. prior enlisted Ranger, receives punishment Id have to find a way out somehow. 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. Contents 1 Austin academic 2 DSA resolution on Red Deal 3 Socialism 2018 4 Radical soldier 5 DSA solidarity 6 DSA Veterans Closed Facebook Group 7 DSA Veterans Working Group Statement on Afghanistan 8 Left: Army 2nd Lt. Spenser Rapone graduating from West Point in May of 2016. 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 info@brightmountainmedia.com, ticker BMTM. When theyre faced with those situations, they might find the courage to resist, or find a way out. That said, we also need to do some de-programming with soldiers I myself had to go through it and its going to take a lot of patience. There are a lot of veterans both active duty and not that feel like I do, he said. Rapone previously served as an enlisted infantryman before enrolling at West Point in 2012. 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. Lets accommodate him. He was an honors student, an athlete, a model citizen who volunteered in the community, recalled Altmire, a Democrat. Note that right now Heffington has started couching the statement in a near apologetic tone. Trump says North Korea is no longer a nuclear threat. Any injuries sustained on duty for his prior service period could qualify for VA treatment, Christensen said, but many other benefits would berestricted unless he receives awaiver from VA. 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. 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. This phase tends to be ephemeral, the erstwhile youthful firebrand eventually emerging from the selfadulatory fog after eye-opening encounter with equally brilliant people articulating cogent, well-supported, and entirely contrary arguments, or having gained sufficient life experience to illustrate the fundamental interpretive emptiness that renders any strictly Manichaean worldview emotional unfulfilling and analytical bankrupt. There are many different social movements and organizations you could join, where you could actually aid people, and actually fight for freedom, for liberation, for emancipation. Schools, roads and statues bear their names across the country. PUNK 2LT SPENCER RAPONE PROMOTES HIS PRO-COMMUNIST SYMPATHIES IN TWITTER DISPATCH MEMBER OF USMAS CLASS OF 2016 DISGRACES UNIFORM AND MEMORY OF OUR FALLEN DEAD NOW WITH 10TH MOUNTAIN DIV., THE SCUM ALSO SUPPORTS LEFTIST FOOTBALL PLAYER COLIN KAEPERNICK IN DISRESPECTING OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM THIS DIRTBAG EVEN MAKES RETIRED COL. MIKE NO COMBAT COLPO (USMA 78) LOOK LIKE RAMBO, West Point was once a place of honor and pride. Former infantry officer, CGSC grad and Army Operations Center alumnus. Someone at West Point was protecting him. 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. He added that its possible the military academy could seek repayment of the cost of Rapones education because he didnt serve the full five-year service obligation required upon graduation. In addition to classic socialist theorists such as Karl Marx, Rapone says he found inspiration in the writings of Stan Goff, a retired Special Forces master sergeant who became a socialist anti-war activist. 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. 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. He hears a loud argument coming from another office. A year prior, you had taken a picture at a Cubs game holding up a sign saying, Vets for Kaepernick, and I kept that idea in my back pocket. Comparisons of claims against the evidence. Thoughts like yours go through a lot of soldiers heads, but its the repercussions that keep them from acting on them. What I saw completely stunned me. It doesnt happen. You served under both Obama and Trump. Many of you have lost loved ones fighting the same totalitarian philosophy that long-haired leftist Rapone so arrogantly promotes. None of that really matters because it is obvious that Rapone and the faculty thought Rapone was immune from any kind of serious disciplinary action. 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. You know things have fallen far when a spoiled, elitist punk like current Army 2LT Spenser Rapone tweets pictures of himself promoting Communism, giving the clenched fist salute while in uniform, and illustrating in startling detail just how firmly the progressives have burrowed themselves into what was once a sacred institution. 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. 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. Well, he certainly took that to heart, didnt he. I was still idealistic, he said. I figured maybe I could change things from inside.. 2nd Lieutenant Spenser Rapone poses in a selfie with the Communist Manifesto and his Army dress uniform last month. In a good case for why military officers should stay off social media (if they want to accomplish their goals, anyway), 2LT Spenser Rapone is getting the boot from the US Army after he posted graduation photos of himself wearing a Che Guevara t-shirt under his uniform and wrote communism will win on the inside of his cap. Some more RUMINT on Comrade Rapone But he wasnt accepted to West Point, so Rapone enlisted in the Army. He would be a sure bet to get a promotion there. 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. He completed the Ranger Assessment and Selection Process, and received an assignment to Taking to Twitter, Rapone and his socialist allies confirmed he would be speaking at a socialist event in July after he was finished being pushed out of the Army this month with an other than honorable discharge. One post dated 16 November 2015 states, Fuck this country and its false freedom. He also labels a guest lecturer for MX400 a fascist, and he even implicitly justifies the actions of ISIS and blames the United States for terrorist attacks. Now its become a social experiment. 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. Yes, there were attempts to create military labor unions. The Chevron Doctrine: Will the Supreme Court's Ruling Protect Liberty? Ten thousand students are enrolled in the program; 55 percent are black, 40 percent are Latinx. According to SOFREP, Rapones fate was largely kept hush by the Army itself, only to come to public light -once again- thanks to Rapones seeming inability to keep quiet on public forum. So he goes to the office: There were four cadets in the office, three of whom were inuniform and one in civilian clothes. Again, Im trying to imagine what is happening here because Rapones insubordinate behavior seems to have been widely known and no one cared. I was told I was in this elite unit with elite soldiers. One of six children growing up in New Castle, Pennsylvania, Rapone said he applied to West Point, which is tuition-free, because he couldnt afford college. On the other hand, many people reached out and showed me support. COL. DANIEL H. WILSON, USMC WAS RELEASED FROM PRISON 3 YEARS AGO. I was still idealistic, he said. I figured maybe I could change things from inside.. 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.. WE PROVIDE AN UPDATE AND LESSONS LEARNED. 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. This is home to the largest concentration of JROTC students in any school district in the country. It appears he didnt. The Viet Cong and the Afghan resistance that people in these countries are resisting is the only similarity I can see between the Vietnam era and the current global war on terror. For example, its illegal to have union meetings in the military now. A cadet telling a lieutenant colonel to FOAD? While serving as an Army infantry Ranger, he deployed overseas (not known where at this time) and saw combat, which earned him the Armys Combat Infantryman Badge. Whether youre on the front lines or not, youre still complicit in the killing of other human beings and the pursuit of US foreign policy. His utter contempt for my rank and position as an Armyofficer was blatantly obvious and, to me, it indicates that CDT Rapone has a serious problem with military authority figures. Copyright 2023 The Washington Times, LLC. Copyright 2023 PopularMilitary | All Rights Reserved. In fact, in the documents about my investigation, one of the charges against me was about advocating for military labor unions. Hes holding up a sign under his hat, and it says, Communism will win. But you sat on the photo for a while. Left: Army 2nd Lt. Spenser Rapone graduating from West Point in May of 2016. 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. Anyway Heffington and Rampone go into the hallway and bitch at each other some more. I say again, this is a sworn statement, something you only go to the trouble of filing when you want punitive action taken against someone. That was accepted, and I got issued 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. Toward the end of his deployment, he learned West Point fulfills a certain quota of enlisted soldiers every year. 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.. To bookmark your favorite articles and follow your favorite authors, upgrade to, Eugenics in the Twenty-First Century: New Names, Old Ideas, West Point Cant Hide Its Reverence for the Confederacy, The West Point Soldier Who Called It as He Saw It. It was during Rapones 2016 USMA graduation that he posed for photos of himself wearing a Che Guevara shirt under his uniform and the message Communism Will Win pasted inside of his dress cap. The honor code as West Point says, a cadet does not lie, cheat, or steal nor tolerate those who do. Where this was determined to come up short was in asking a cadet a question the answer to which could lead to their being disciplined, particularly dismissed from the academy, and forcing them to choose between lying (their honor) or severe punishment. We were bullies in one of the poorest countries on Earth, Rapone said. I decided that was an opening to express how I feel. I tried to submit a conditional resignation, saying I wanted to leave, and asked for a general discharge. John Nettleton was found guilty of obstructing justice, concealing information, falsifying records and making false statements in connection with the death of Christopher Tur. Rory Fanning is the author of Worth Fighting For: An Army Ranger's Journey Out of the Military and Across America. So, one key is articulating antiwar in terms of the structural phenomena we witness: how war is profitable, how its designed to be endless. But Army spokeswoman April Cunningham said that appropriate action was taken.. Soon after enlisting and finishing basic training, military airborne school, and ranger selection, I was deployed to Afghanistan, to Khost Province right on the Pakistan border. This sickening sycophant (be sure to read about him in our related stories box below) never even went overseas once. 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. I said, Stand up when you speak to me. CDT Rapone stood up and, before I could say anything else, said, Sir you donthave the right to use my honor against me! in a loud and extremely disrespectful tone of voice. We cant say with absolute certainty Mikey would be a coward if he ever got on a battlefield, but his successful efforts to avoid any shooting area for three decades gives you a good idea of what kind of combat leader he might be. Looks like the Commie Cadet is well on his way to become the first Army General who advocates the overthrow of the American Government. 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. As to how to reach soldiers, you need to meet them where they are. In short, Rapone saw himself as a subversive agent of communism, infiltrating the US military from within with intent to destroy it. knightro2323 6 yr. ago. Most importantly, your donations help us to keep this website FREE and INDEPENDENT, so we can continue the fight for truth, by exposing the corrupt. Former Army Ranger and Afghanistan veteran Spenser Rapone received an other than honorable discharge after he posted images taken at his 2016 graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point. An other than honorable discharge means Rapone will not be entitled to VA benefits or the GI Bill. 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. And I was a young male in American society, so I watched a lot of Hollywood movies, a lot of TV shows. here for reprint permission. On the surface, it would seem that mere employment in the military would be incompatible with his political beliefs. You can read the whole statement here. Im from New Castle, Pennsylvania, which is a classic Rust Belt city. 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. Follow me on Twitter. Army splits with West Point grad who touted communist revolt At worst, however, Cadet Rapones statements bespeak either a severe mental or psychological disorder, or a genuine commitment to values and ideals wholly at odds with those of West Point and the Army, he added. In addition to classic socialist theorists such as Karl Marx, Rapone says he found inspiration in the writings of Stan Goff, a retired Special Forces master sergeant who became a socialist anti-war activist. (@punkproletarian) September 25, 2017. 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. I wouldnt just be a soldier Id have to influence soldiers who were my subordinates. Robert Heffington, a former lieutenant colonel and West Point instructor who met Mr. Rapone, told the website that his online ideological screeds reveal the philosophical infatuations of a precocious adolescent in a best-case scenario. Were in Chicago. https://t.co/c3SW0QJsBl https://t.co/c3SW0QJsBl, My eyes are seriously about to roll out of the back of my head. Eventually I was pulled out of the field and went through the different legal channels. Spenser Rapone was accepted to West Point in 2012, graduated in 2016 and received an other than honorable discharge in June. Indeed,this is not the first time l have corrected CDT Rapone for ridiculously unprofessional behavior. But its very daunting: how in the world are you supposed to say, No, Im not deploying. Thats on us to create the structures to have places for dissident soldiers and military personnel. Good riddance. Still, the troubling question remains- how many other Spenser Rapones are in military service, particularly ones who can keep their mouths shut? Friday, June 8, 2018, Click We have to talk about the picture that caused this whole situation for you. Their conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. His expulsion came after a viral tweet showing him clad in uniform, fist raised displaying a hat reading, COMMUNISM WILL WIN., I was always told growing up that the US military protects the innocent, that we fight for freedom, truth, and justice, Rapone tells Rory Fanning in the following interview. Spenser Rapone The narrative that a conscription army is the only thing that will produce war resisters is flawed and ahistorical. The United States Army is so impressed with Spenser Rapone, they decided to promote him to first lieutenant. This was for a couple reasons. I knew there could be repercussions, said Rapone, who is scheduled to speak at a socialism conference in Chicago next month. Spenser Rapone That conditions you to think a certain way about the world, about whats morally right and ethical. Army splits with West Point grad who touted communist revolt Even some of the true believers who claim they enjoy it or relish it deep down, they know what theyre doing. 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. We saw people hijack helicopters within the ranks to drop propaganda flyers over military bases. Im having trouble even processing this exchange. 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. I followed hiseyes and then looked down to see what he was looking at; I then realized that he was staring at the name tag on my ACU top, as ifmemorizing my name. Spenser Rapone, 26, became notable a bit faster than most graduates. During the interview, he expressed patriotism and looked just like a top-notch candidate. 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. Right: Army Private First Class Spenser Rapone receiving his "Ranger Scrol" patch after completing Ranger Assessment and Selection Program in 2011. There are a lot of veterans both active duty and not that feel like I do.. Despite his growing disillusionment about the military, he applied and got in. Hed be good at following the party line.. 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.

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