One of six children growing up in New Castle, Pennsylvania, Rapone said he applied to West Point, which is tuition-free, because he couldn't afford college. Low around 35F. Lt. Spenser Rapone is under investigation after tweeting photos of himself support communism while in uniform. To get into West Point, applicants must receive nominations, usually from U.S. politicians. Then there was the move to an all-volunteer force and thats interesting because asubstantial number of Vietnam resisters were volunteers. ", "I consider myself a revolutionary socialist," the 26-year-old Rapone told The Associated Press. endobj
The Army often invokes privacy concerns when dealing with information about junior ranking soldiers, though there is no blanket policy for the Defense Department. Send us a note with the Letter to the Editor form. The GNDCC will make direct connection with The Red Nation, dedicate one person to serve as the main point of contact, and collaborate with the comrades on joint actions, statements and local, national and international campaigns around indigenous liberation and climate justice. He is a man of above-average stature. He lost his career for speaking truth to power. In the liberal mentality, if you get this particularly disgusting person out of office, then things will change. At the time, he was an outstanding, well-rounded student who came from a good family. Rapone has admitted being a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and has even posted pictures showing his membership card alongside his military name patch. Ifigured if he could put his skin in the game on anational stage, then Icould do my small part and it kind of took off fromthere. Its interesting that you say that because, really, all the whole pregame stuff at games is arecent phenomenon. Over the course of the next six weeks, new cadets will be complete physical training, as well as small-unit tactical training and rifle marksmanship. As a reader-supported 501(c)3 nonprofit, In These Times does not oppose or endorse candidates for political office. The military began investigating Mr. He applied once again to West Point and was accepted. Be Nice. Wed call them detainees, which is just aeuphemism for prisoner, and wed do this kind of thing every night, even sometimes without proper intelligence. Use the 'Report' link on Spenser Rapone was a US Army officer and Democratic Socialists of America member. Occupation: Organizer: A Critical History of Community Organizing in America, Breaking the Impasse: Electoral Politics, Mass Action, and the New Socialist Movement in the United States, Bigger Than Bernie: How We Can Win Democratic Socialism in Our Time. Ithink it was just him seeing the word communist made him draw his own conclusions fromthere. One picture showed him in uniform, opening his shirt to show an of Che Guevara. He ultimately resigned his commission, and was separated from the Army in June 2018 with an Other Than Honorable discharge., Spenser Rapones bio on Socialism 2018 (Socialism 2018 Website), Fanning wrote that their conversation will be called Resisting Within the Ranks.. I am very disappointed in the direction he has chosen and as his father it greatly saddens me, Richard L. Rapone posted on his Facebook page, adding: As a young man, Spenser personified patriotism and in high school was a member of the Civil Air Patrol. As a Sustainer, you'll never have to worry about renewal notices, or fundraising appeals. But then Igot deployed to Afghanistan, and my experience overseas showed me that if anything, Iwas making adifference for those with power and wealth. #AntiFa, he wrote, according to a picture obtained before he took down his account. Quite the contrary. He is the son of Peter Pauling and Barbara W. Tuchman. Im probably going to take some time to decompress and process all Ive been through. But he wasnt accepted to West Point, so Rapone enlisted in the Army. This page was last edited on 28 August 2021, at 22:54. By Debra Heine 10:26 PM on October 05, 2017. While I strongly support the rights of American citizens to express their opinions, the actions of 2nd Lieutenant Rapone are abhorrent and appear to be in clear violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, in addition to being inconsistent with the values of the United States Military Academy. Spenser Rapone was accepted to West Point in 2012, graduated in 2016 and received an "other than honorable discharge" in June. One of six children growing up in New Castle, Pennsylvania, Rapone said he applied to West Point, which is tuition-free, because he couldn't afford college. For me, Icouldnt shake the fact that what we were doing was wrong and morallyreprehensible. Even on nights when we didnt have kinetic engagements, we would just roll up to villages and ransack them; wed separate women and children, put bags over peoples heads, lock them up in flexcuffs. "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.". But from what Iunderstand about his life, he didnt get to the point where you reached, but was still veryquestioning. 3 0 obj
or anything. x. Despite his growing disillusionment about the military, he applied and got in. Several years ago, I met Spenser Rapone when he was a high school student seeking an appointment to West Point, Altmire said. Due to privacy act restrictions, we are limited in what information we can provide, Lt. Col. Nina Hill, an Army spokeswoman, told reporters. And those views only hardened during his studies of history as one of the academys Long Gray Line.. The incoming class of 2023 also includes cadets from an array of backgrounds. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporters byline and their DCNF affiliation. And those views only hardened during his studies of history as one of the academy's "Long Gray Line.". The newest class of cadets enters the academy on the heels of the school graduating a record number of black women in a single class, which occurred in May. %
Hes also tweeted out that hell happily dance on GOP Sen. John McCains grave. Latest. He was nominated out of high school by. Chance of precip 90%. But Ihad no desire to serve any longerI disagree with what the United States military is doingso Isubmitted aresignation in February with the condition that, as long as Idont receive anything lower than ageneral discharge, Iwould go. Army Commie Cadet Gets Promoted to 1LT. Richard L. Rapone explained that Spenser tried to join West Point straight out of high school but was not accepted. Rapones activism while in uniform appears to be much broader than those two photos. As part of this effort, this Convention will endorse the Red Deal, launched by comrades in The Red Nation, a radical anti-capitalist Indigenous liberation group, and its principles on the fight for non-reformist reforms. We were just going in their homes and threatening their villages and were creating nothing but chaos anddestruction. However, the Army has strict rules regarding the wear and appearance of Army uniforms.. In the middle of all of this, these right-wing sites were saying stuff about me and Iwas under investigation, so Icouldnt say anything because theyd use that as ammunition. Then American society and political culture influences you because we are constantly slapped with patriotism and respecting the troops. What does that even mean? Rapone is scheduled to speak in July at a Socialism 2018 conference in Chicago, where he and fellow far-lefty Rory Fanning, an ex-Army ranger, will appear together in a "War Resister in the . Spenser Rapone, U.S. Army. [6], Members of Democratic Socialists of America's Socialist Punk Caucus closed Facebook group, accessed November 24, 2017, included Spenser Rapone. No matter what you did in these imperialist conflicts, theres arole you can play in ending them and try to help emancipate and liberate people. Then, Iwant to get active. 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. Mar 29 Damascus is under attack. Follow him on Twitter: @punkproletarian. On Monday, the United States Military Academy welcomed more than 1,190 candidates for Reception Day. 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. https://t.co/c3SW0QJsBl https://t.co/c3SW0QJsBl, My eyes are seriously about to roll out of the back of my head. Iwas ahistory major, and Istudied Middle Eastern history specifically. Menu. Have thoughts or reactions to this or any other piece that you'd like to share? I have no doubt that the U.S. Army will take appropriate action, Altmire said. Yes, Rory Fanning Ive had correspondence with for awhile. Soon after getting to West Point, I saw that this was a structural problem across the military and that the military itself, its material relation to power, serves the capitalist class. Similar to me, after he did his training and found himself overseas, he realized the harsh reality of what the American military was and formed his own opinions. The U.S. Military Academy strives to develop leaders who internalize the academys motto of Duty, Honor, Country, and who live the Army values. Igraduated and went to officer training, but once Trump got elected, Ithought this was aparticular political moment when Iwas like, Ok, now more than ever, it would be inauthentic of me tocontinue.. There were no red flags of any kind.. Ithink thats acrucial part of it and why Idid what Idid. Rapone said an investigation found he went online to advocate for a socialist revolution and disparage high-ranking officers. x]on?J"0;]Mq8~PNKw+#"%K,=/yd''Ur%"O30b&-TttxpAY4.e8+OD~H^ You go to football games and they bring troops out on the field. However, the percentage of female cadets has remained largely unchanged for the past four years, averaging between 22 and 24 percent of the class. The thread has since been deleted. "These young men and women are coming here to devote themselves to becoming guardians of Duty, Honor, Country the West Point motto and our United States Constitution. cBf5sIfE*3T0!l&CN+f-:#;p>,vS$E We now consider the matter closed, Hill said. A review of Rapones Facebook page shows that over time, since 2014, his posts became increasingly anti-racism, anti-Israel, pro-Muslim, pro-Communist, anti-military, and anti-police. Low around 35F. Most importantly, you'll the knowledge that you are part of keeping independent, progressive journalism alive and accessible for everyone. Officially, the Army said in a statement only that it conducted a full investigation and "appropriate action was taken. 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. Whatever happened to that communist lieutenant? "He was an honors student, an athlete, a model citizen who volunteered in the community," recalled Altmire, a Democrat. You go in with acertain vision in your head of what being in the military is and then you see the reality of it. Spenser Rapone, 26, quit on Monday with an other-than-honourable discharge over his "unbecoming" conduct at the famed military academy in New York state. Compared to the 294 women welcomed on Reception Day in 2018, West Point reported 285 female cadets were on campus as part of the newest class. So, theres this combination of an all-volunteer army, the post-9/11 era further instituting our religion of civic patriotism, and then the anti-war movement getting co-opted by liberal movements not interested in structural change. Greg Rinckey, an attorney specializing in military law, said it's rare for an officer out of West Point to receive an other-than-honorable discharge. He ultimately resigned his commission, and was separated from the Army in June 2018 with an Other Than Honorable discharge.. The biggest thing about Pat Tillman was that he didnt want to be put in abox. Copyright 2023 The Washington Times, LLC. Those nominations usually come from senators or representatives. Rubio was apart of that cabal of capitalists andcollaborators. He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 and was assigned as an assistant machine gunner in Khost Province. Eventually, however, after becoming increasingly disillusioned with U.S. imperialism abroad, Rapone resigned his commission and was separated from the Army in early June. Mike Prysner Family Prysner was born and brought up in the United States to his parents. <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>>
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. The two apparently traveled together to India together in 2014 and maintained a close relationship until Rapone graduated in May 2016. West Point's newest class has increased minority representation and the percentage of female new cadets remained consistent with previous years. Then she puts them under a microscope. In 2021 Spenser Rapone was hired at the University of Texas in Austin in the History Departments New School for Social Research. In an Oct. 11 letter to the members of the USMA community, Caslen stated that 2nd Lt. Spenser Rapone the Afghanistan combat infantry veteran and West Point grad captured with a Che Guevara . The strikes left 34 people injured, including three children, and caused widespread damage. Of the people who go into the military, not many people go with acomplete political formation of the world and, unfortunately, being in that world steers them acertain way. Richard L. Rapone explained that Spenser tried to join West Point straight out of high school but was not accepted. On Sunday, Rapone posted a picture of himself in his West Point uniform holding a sign that said, Communism will win tucked under his cover, or hat, raising a clenched left fist. Both the United States Military Academy and his current command, the 10th Mountain Division, launched investigations into his conduct. Id have to do ashow cause board, which is essentially me convincing them why Ishould stay in themilitary. UQuIgR0-8Z4m5D_pY`ucWl
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-f=l@u?H}^Zuj2')`gdzhg~pwwNcEATk,.sWChKggdsCxsA#/aU.8$D^x^@3k;=:V'EQzBju:&XRc]Y|}U.>$mco-/RgxyR\/KA{wz9@Y2]nSQa0baEA~Uws83tF SOI5jraML/ua;s y~D /A' l9~:' [emailprotected]. Rapone was initially in high spirits during said investigation. This time Rapone's father himself publicly weighed in on his son's gross comments and anti-American sentiment, according to the Daily Caller. ", 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. The letter begins to address many concerns about what has taken place at West Point in light of revelations about 2nd Lt. Spenser Rapone, who is an apparent socialist and communist spreading those doctrines; as well as a letter from a former West Point professor that alleges . #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/3jnCtawvHc, Rudi (Dutschke) Cant Fail (@punkproletarian) September 24, 2017. 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 Altmire support 9 Socialist Punk Caucus Mr. Rapone retweeted the message. He posted January 18 on Facebook, May we all learn from her example of what integrity and strength of conviction truly entails.. Rapone's father, a local politician in Pennsylvania, explicitly disavowed his son's political views Tuesday in a Facebook post. 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. Although Im not apacifist, Inever called for any explicit violence. New cadets hold and read booklets called 'Cadet Knowledge' during Reception Day at the United States Military Academy at West Point, June 27, 2016, in West Point, New York. "We have averaged 290 female cadets, or 23.3 percent of the class, over the last four years and continue to strive to increase the diversity through programs like Leadership Ethics and Diversity in STEM workshops and others.". "At the time, he was an outstanding, well-rounded student who . Don't knowingly lie about anyone 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. Inspired by former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who famously took aknee to protest police violence, Rapone wore aChe Guevara T-shirt to his West Point graduation in May 2016 and turned his cap over to reveal the hand-scrawled message, Communism willwin.. "I figured maybe I could change things from inside.". On the other hand, many people reached out and showed me support. Along with domestic cadets, the newest class includes cadets from more than a dozen countries, including Columbia, Egypt, Rwanda and Thailand. Its the worst administrative discharge. Communist ex-Ranger and West Pointer receiving a other than honorable discharge. Parents Allowed to Collect Sperm From Son Killed Skiing 'Commie Cadet' Spenser Rapone Discharged From U.S. Army West Point Marries First Active-Duty, Same-Sex Couple Compared to the 294 women. I have no doubt that the U.S. Army will take appropriate action.. Today, his Twitter account is again public. As figures of public trust, members of the military must exhibit exemplary conduct, and are prohibited from engaging in certain expressions of political speech in uniform, it said. Spenser is my son and I love him dearly however I do not like nor condone his politics, his actions or behavior., Rapone has a long background of support for far-left extremism, even going so far as to promote communism while in uniform. 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. But in terms of restrictions, after the Vietnam era in 78, they put it into code that any kind of military unions or organizing is explicitly forbidden. First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. On February 11, he posted an article titled Know Your (Gun) Rights! While I strongly support the rights of American citizens to express their opinions, the actions of 2nd Lieutenant Rapone are abhorrent and appear to be in clear violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, in addition to being inconsistent with the values of the United States Military Academy. Rainmixing with snow overnight. accounts, the history behind an article. Now through Monday, sign up to become a Sustainer for just $5 a month and you'll receive your choice of one of three booksas well as an ongoing subscriptions (10 issues a year) to the print magazine. For his part, Rapone became infamous in 2017 after his photos and tweets made the internet rounds. After amission, wed have adebrief and, if something particularly violent would happen, officers would say something like, That was kickass! They said if we didnt like it, we were in the wrong place. The U.S. Military Academy strives to develop leaders who internalize the academys motto of Duty, Honor, Country, and who live the Army values,West Point said in a statement released Tuesday. It wasnt nearly to that level before the 9/11 era and thats part of why Ispeak out. Right: Army Private First Class Spenser Rapone receiving his "Ranger Scrol" patch after completing Ranger Assessment and Selection Program in 2011. . 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. In response, the Army has opened an investigation intoRapone for his social media comments. Guevara was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary who believed the poor people of Latin America would be saved by communism. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Aside from his recent West Point graduation, Rapone was an infantry officer in the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York. Several years ago, I met Spenser Rapone when he was a high school student seeking an appointment to West Point, Altmire said. pic.twitter.com/PP5lvIR8Pp. Resolution to DSA National Convention Atlanta Georgia July 2019. I love you: Chilling note found at murder scene after husband allegedly drives 500 miles to tell mom he shot and killed his wife, This was not a random act: Person of interest in custody after Detroit neurosurgeon found shot in head and wrapped in blanket, Following early morning 911 call, 87-year-old man found dead with pistol in bed after shooting 86-year-old woman: Cops, Preschool teacher reportedly arrested for murder during the childrens naptime, broke the story of the West Point Communist on September 25, 2017, An investigation into Rapones behavior quickly commenced, late Marxist revolutionary, physician, and guerrilla leader, stressed this point to American Military News, Lori Vallow Daybell Trial: Live Updates from Day 14 of Shocking Testimony, Gruesome Evidence, 'Coward' whose co-workers joked he looked like serial killer on the news pleads guilty to 2017 murders, Arrest made in cold case murder of woman killed at home while her infant daughter was in the next room, Prosecutors seek death penalty against plastic surgeon accused of murdering missing lawyer who represented former employer in suit, 'Extremely mad' driver who chased car full of teens at 99 mph over 'ding dong ditch' prank convicted of triple murder, Gwyneth Paltrow no longer seeking attorneys fees from retired doctor who sued her over ski crash, Transgender lawmaker Zooey Zephyr sues Montana over removal from House floor, Im the only one who hasnt lied: Stormy Daniels wants to testify against Trump in New York criminal case, talks sex worker shooting verdict in interview, Washington mom vanishes moments after calling 911, White woman who made false accusation that led to lynching of Emmett Till, one of the most infamous acts of racial violence, dies at age 88. Later that year, on August 19, 2014, Rapone posted a picture that showed them in a classroom with another soldier. Reception Day marks the first step in a 47-month journey toward becoming an officer in the United States Army. And youve heard from other veterans and servicemembers? Investigators found that he had been hiding in an engine room aboard the ship, the cruiser Shiloh, for a week. Trump and other right wingers also still trot out Pat Tillman as asymbol. The day after Iposted the pictures, my chain of command approached me, read me my rights, and told me Icould talk right now or wait for an attorney, so of course Iwaited for an attorney. If this was Ukraine the mainstream media would be shrieking day and night about human rights and international law. With all their political gamesmanship, lawmakers forget that real human lives are often on the line. When you study the role of the United States and the British and the French pre-dating them, you start to understand what imperialism really is. Outside of my chain of command, people were threatening and silencing me and Ihad tons of alt-right and neo-fascists sending me death threats. Copyright 2023 by the Institute for Public Affairs (EIN: 94-2889692). Army." "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. After the photo garnered widespread attention on Twitter, West Point quickly issued a statement distancing itself from Rapone. He was nominated out of high school by then-U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire in 2010.
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