Spenser Rapone is a former Army Ranger and Infantry Officer recently separated from the military for speaking out against its imperialist violence. Toward the end of his deployment, he learned West Point fulfills a certain quota of enlisted soldiers every year. No one likes being in the military, in the moment. What , VADM John Disher got the job as Chief of Naval Education and Training Command (CNET) after Airman Recruit (AR) Lee Mirecki, 19, of Appleton, Wisconsin, was drowned by Navy swim , Captain Robert J. Naughton, served his country, and suffered for his country when he was held captive for years in Hanoi during the Vietnam War. We were bullies in one of the poorest countries on Earth, Rapone said. On the surface, it would seem that mere employment in the military would be incompatible with his political beliefs. Army officials at the Pentagon declined to comment on the details of Rapones discharge, citing privacy concerns. 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. 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. Spenser Rapone All content 2023 Truthdig, LLC. Its a big question, but how do you see soldiers organizing now? Your donations also help us expose FRAUD, WASTE and ABUSE, that is ethically corrosive and financially exorbitant. 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. 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. HIS STORY IS A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF GROSS MILITARY INJUSTICE. - Many other military personnel also tweeted in favor of Kaepernick, although most were supporting free speech, not communism. Youre essentially guilty until proven innocent. To tell them that theres more to your skills as a soldier than firing a weapon. But Army spokeswoman April Cunningham said that appropriate action was taken.. (Courtesy of Spenser Rapone via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. And those views only hardened during his studies of history as one of 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. Why? There are a lot of veterans both active duty and not that feel like I do, he said. I sat on those photos the first one of Communism will win inscribed in my hat, the second one of me wearing a Che Guevara shirt underneath [my uniform] from the time I graduated in May 2016 to September 2017. Someone at West Point was protecting him. On the other hand, many people reached out and showed me support. The question hanging fire, though, has remained how did this guy get through four years at a very rigorous institution without his TAC officer and other active duty officers knowing about it. Id have to tell them the mission we were doing was right when I had firsthand experience as a teenager in Afghanistan that what we were doing was not right. 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. It has its genesis in one of the cheating scandals and it goes like this. Specifically, 18 U.S. Code 2385 makes is pretty clear that whoever knowingly or willfully advocates, abets, advises, or teaches the duty, necessity, desirability, or propriety of overthrowing or destroying the government of the United States or the government of any State, Territory, District orPossession thereof, or the government of any political subdivision therein, by force or violence, or by the assassination of any officer of any such government;or, Whoever, with intent to cause the overthrow or destruction of any such government, prints, publishes, edits, issues, circulates, sells, distributes, or publicly displays any written or printed matter advocating, advising, or teaching the duty, necessity, desirability, or propriety of overthrowing or destroying any government in the United States by force or violence, or attempts to do so; or, Whoever organizes or helps or attempts to organize any society, group, or assembly of persons who teach, advocate, or encourage the overthrow or destruction of any such government by force or violence; or becomes or is a member of, or affiliates with, any such society, group, or assembly of persons, knowing the purposes thereof. In another, he raises his fist and flips his cap to reveal the message: Communism will win.. The former West Point cadet who called himself Commie Beebop on Twitter rejoined civilian life without an honorable discharge. Follow me on Twitter. Using your honor against you is a West Point concept. 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. Spenser Rapone Spenser Rapone Template:TOCnestleft Spenser Rapone was a US Army officer and Democratic Socialists of America member. Communist ex-Ranger and West Pointer receiving a other than honorable discharge. 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. Spenser Rapone West Point Knew 2LT Rapone Was a Communist in Spenser Rapone, who was previously enlisted with the Army Rangers and served in Afghanistan before his commissioning, told the AP he was reprimanded for conduct unbecoming of an officer. 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. It didnt take me long to realize that my experiences did not reflect that in the slightest. Former infantry officer, CGSC grad and Army Operations Center alumnus. 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. 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. He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 and was assigned as an assistant machine gunner in Khost Province. This May Day, get a Jacobin subscriptionfor just $1 for an entire year. We had hundreds of incidents where soldiers were fragging and killing their officers. knightro2323 6 yr. ago. Schools, roads and statues bear their names across the country. The debate on Kaepernick started up again, with Trump denouncing him and other football players expressing solidarity. 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. Copyright 2023 RedState.com/Salem Media. 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. That was accepted, and I got issued an other than honorable discharge. While in the 1st Ranger Battalion he completed at least one deployment and Air Assault School before going over to the United States Military Academy in New York. What if several divisions of fighting Americans were taking orders from Brigadier General Rapone? Of course my military career is dead in the water. Spenser Rapone Hunter Finally Appears in Child Support Case, Judge Blasts Him for Concealing Income, SCOTUS Grants Review of Case That Will Gut the Federal Bureaucracy, Report Reveals Who Pushed Joe Biden to Run for Re-Election, FBI Retracts Image of Man Wrongly Identified as Cleveland, TX Murder Suspect, Other Mistakes Made, Nevada Isn't Blue, It's a Battleground for the Senate in 2024, Former Republican Congressman From Michigan Declares 'Michigan GOP Is Dead'. But you asked how we get more people to resist. And those views only hardened during his studies of history as one of the academys Long Gray Line.. MilitaryCorruption.com has been watching this case closely. here for reprint permission. 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. I knew there could be repercussions, said Rapone, who is scheduled to speak at a socialism conference in Chicago next month. Mr. Rapone used the social media platform on Wednesday to promote an upcoming Socialism 2018 talk in Chicago titled War Resister in the Ranks., At Socialism 2018 Ill be sitting down with with[sic] 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, Rory Fanning, also an ex-Ranger, tweeted Wednesday. Who Was Protecting the Commie West Point Graduate And Why. 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. Hes not just reporting Rapone, hes going a long distance to ensure that he is seen as blameless. As weve seen in the recent past, ideological actors working inside the system such as Edward Snowden can do a tremendous amount of damage to national security. 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. There can be only one reason that he felt free to shoot off his mouth to an senior officer who was also an assistant professor. He was drawn to the writings of Stan Goff, an antiwar socialist and fellow Special Forces veteran who taught at West Point, he said. No one likes to deploy; no one likes to be separated from their friends and family to go inflict violence on human beings. A lot of guys were getting excited at the prospect that we might go into North Korea or possibly Iran. In short, Rapone saw himself as a subversive agent of communism, infiltrating the US military from within with intent to destroy it. And those views only hardened during his studies of history as one of Again, Im trying to imagine what is happening here because Rapones insubordinate behavior seems to have been widely known and no one cared. Spenser Rapone was accepted to West Point in 2012, graduated in 2016 and received an other than honorable discharge in June. (@punkproletarian) September 25, 2017. Butbecause Rapone had served as an enlisted soldier, he would have received an honorable discharge before becoming an officer, Christensen said. This May Day, consider getting (or gifting) a subscription at a discounted price of $1 for a yearlong digitalsubscription,and $10 for print. Marine staff member suffers self-inflicted gunshot wound at Home of the Commandants. Click MAJOR CLARENCE ANDERSON FILES MASSIVE FEDERAL LAWSUIT AGAINST THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE. He was nominated out of high school by then-US Rep. Jason Altmire in 2010. We were bullies in one of the poorest countries on Earth, Rapone said. COL. DANIEL H. WILSON, USMC WAS RELEASED FROM PRISON 3 YEARS AGO. Its now in US military code that thats illegal. Mr. Rapone retweeted the message. Spenser Rapone was accepted to West Point in 2012, graduated in 2016 and received an other than honorable discharge in June. 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. Of course my military career is dead in the water. Can you imagine what would go through your mind if your unit, engaged in combat against Communists (P.S. I didnt want to grovel before the empire, and knew itd be a show trial at best, so I submitted my resignation. We were just persecuting and terrorizing some of the most exploited people on Earth with one of the most technologically advanced militaries in history. The United States Army is so impressed with Spenser Rapone, they decided to promote him to first lieutenant. 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. Deciding he could no longer stomach the immorality of US imperialism, he spoke out against the reprehensible actions of the military in September 2017. I wouldnt just be a soldier Id have to influence soldiers who were my subordinates. Everyone who is sworn into the American military has to take an oath of office which includes they wont advocate the overthrow of the Government. Civilians were detouring around his legs asthey tried to make it down the hallway. Get our print magazine for just $20 a year. Apparently not. Join the Truthdig Newsletter for our latest publications. 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. Finally, Heffington gets tired and tries to end the conversation: The conversation continued for approximately fiveminutes, and every single statement or question I had for CDT Rapone was met with a ready and very disrespectful retort. Why are we not surprised? Even some of the true believers who claim they enjoy it or relish it deep down, they know what theyre doing. 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. My attorney told me that the military would win in this situation because of the way the uniform code of military justice is structured. Eventually I was pulled out of the field and went through the different legal channels. Were in Chicago. Even if they decide to join, at least theyll be armed with some degree of critical thinking. 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.. Never in over 18 years has any Soldier spoken to me or treated me withsuch extreme disrespect as CDT Rapone did on the night of 17 November. Hes holding up a sign under his hat, and it says, Communism will win. But you sat on the photo for a while. Im having trouble even processing this exchange. Ten thousand students are enrolled in the program; 55 percent are black, 40 percent are Latinx. In the pictures, he was wearing a t-shirt depicting famous socialist Che Guevara under his uniform and had also written the Im one of six children from, at the time, a single-income family. WE WANT ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THOSE WHO CONSPIRED TO WRONGFULLY IMPRISON THIS OUTSTANDING AIR FORCE OFFICER. Many other military personnel also tweeted in favor of Kaepernick, although most were supporting free speech, not communism. 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 [], A journal of theory and strategy published by Jacobin, We Were Terrorizing Some of the Most Exploited People on Earth, Taking Back Left Parties From the Brahmins, Worth Fighting For: An Army Ranger's Journey Out of the Military and Across America, Having America Care About You Is Not Necessarily a Good Thing. Stay up to date with the latest from Truthdig. John Nettleton was found guilty of obstructing justice, concealing information, falsifying records and making false statements in connection with the death of Christopher Tur. 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. Operating under the twitter handle punkproletarian, Rapone supports various extreme left-wing ideologies, including more violent fringe groups such as Black Lives Matter and Antifa. This sickening sycophant (be sure to read about him in our related stories box below) never even went overseas once. 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 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. weve done it before), is being led into battle by a Captain or Major Rapone. Since then, the image has gotten a lot of attention, particularly in light of the recent NFL free speech scandal. We have to talk about the picture that caused this whole situation for you. Rapone previously served as an enlisted infantryman before enrolling at West Point in 2012. We also had the Viet Cong resisting. Another West Point Graduate Heading to Prison. I got back and began trying to process what I witnessed. We call upon Rapones fellow soldiers in the 10th to give him a proper haircut and attitude adjustment. Rubio celebrated the move in a statement provided to The Washington Post on Tuesday. Toward the end of his deployment, he learned West Point fulfills a certain quota of enlisted soldiers every year. 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. Good riddance. Already on our list? 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. Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com. 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. While Rubio and others have repudiated Rapones desiretodismantle the countrys social orderand support a radical revolution, he wouldnt be the first West Pointer to have done so. 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. Of course my military career is dead in the water. 2nd Lieutenant Spenser Rapone poses in a selfie with the Communist Manifesto and his Army dress uniform last month. New York Post I soon found myself trying to resolve the contradiction of my future officership. 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. In November 2015, after being removed from Alpha Company 1/75 Ranger Regiment in 2011 for violating standards, Rapone was a cadet in his final year at the academy. There is only one reason that his insubordination was tolerated. Spenser Rapone tells how he discovered that the military he joined wasn't what Hollywood and commercials had made it out to be. The misunderstood and persecuted young genius shouts truth to power by cobbling together ideas and quotations popping up in chat rooms or on Facebook walls, certain that his provocative and shocking proclamations will, based solely upon their vehemence and sarcasm, demonstrate both the profound sincerity and the unassailable correctness of his viewpoints. His expulsion came after a viral tweet showing him clad in uniform, fist raised displaying a He hears a loud argument coming from another office. He ultimately resigned his commission, and was separated from the Army in June 2018 with an Other Than Honorable discharge.. Spenser Rapone, U.S. Army. There were no red flags of any kind.. What I saw completely stunned me. 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. Bidens misleading deficit claim earns him a Bottomless Pinocchio, Fact-checking Trumps reaction to Bidens reelection announcement. 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. 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. 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 atinfo@brightmountainmedia.com, tickerBMTM. Initially, after the invasion of Iraq, there was a substantial antiwar movement, but five years later, with the election of Barack Obama, a lot of that dissipated. 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. 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. We Were Terrorizing Some of the Most Exploited People on Earth Robert J. Naughton Protected Corrupt Naval Officers Who Imprisoned a Navy Chief in a Military Mental Hospital, United States Military Academy West Point. Second, I knew if I was authentic in my worldview, I wouldnt be able to continue serving my full commitment. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.. 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. 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. He was an honors student, an athlete, a model citizen who volunteered in the community, recalled Altmire, a Democrat. Confederate leaders Jefferson Davis and Gen. Robert E. Lee both attended the academy. It is only possible to draw one conclusion for the fact that one of the West Point cadre took the time to write a damning statement, one that could very well have resulted in Rapones commie ass being booted from West Point, and that statement being ignored. 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. 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. Army Commie Cadet Gets Promoted to 1LT. This site is owned and operated by Bright Mountain Media, Inc., a publicly owned company trading with the symbol. 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. A LOT. Rapone previously served as an enlisted infantryman before enrolling at West Point in 2012. An interview with Spenser Rapone the commie cadet that got kicked out of the military for standing against US imperialism. In short, Rapone saw himself as a subversive agent of communism, infiltrating the US military from within with intent to destroy it. The Chevron Doctrine: Will the Supreme Court's Ruling Protect Liberty? Plus, Colin Kaepernick risked his career to support a cause. He was nominated out of high school by then-U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire in 2010. 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. 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.
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