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. While Trump himself may be more of a parody-fascist than a fascist, it was as if that election was releasing the forces of a new kind of fascism. And those views only hardened during his studies of history as one of Despite his growing disillusionment about the military, he applied and got in. Don Christensen, a former Air Force chief prosecutor, told The Post on Tuesday it was very unusual for a West Point graduate toreceivethis type of military dischargeunless it was for a serious crime, like drug use. He was nominated out of high school by then-US Rep. Jason Altmire in 2010. (Courtesy of Spenser Rapone via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. I was deployed for most of the summer of 2011. 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. This sickening sycophant (be sure to read about him in our related stories box below) never even went overseas once. Good riddance. WATERTOWN, N.Y. (AP) The images Spenser Rapone posted on Twitter from his West Point graduation were intentionally shocking: In one, the cadet opens his dress uniform to expose a T-shirt with a blood-red image of socialist icon Che Guevara. The war resisters from Vietnam were not all draftees; a substantial portion were volunteers. Toward the end of his deployment, he learned West Point fulfills a certain quota of enlisted soldiers every year. Rapone previously served as an enlisted infantryman before enrolling at West Point in 2012. Of course my military career is dead in the water. 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.. What kind of bizarro world is that? 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. 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 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. This is home to the largest concentration of JROTC students in any school district in the country. 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. Can you start off by telling us about your background and why you decided to join the military? The former West Point cadet who called himself Commie Beebop on Twitter rejoined civilian life without an honorable discharge. I didnt expect it to go viral like it did, but I thought maybe I could influence other soldiers. I figured this was the least I could do if I was serious about my own beliefs. I knew there could be repercussions, said Rapone, who is scheduled to speak at a socialism conference in Chicago next month. During the interview, he expressed patriotism and looked just like a top-notch candidate. Army Commie Cadet Gets Promoted to 1LT. 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. In another, he raises his fist and flips his cap to reveal the message: Communism will win.. So I thought, like the adage goes, maybe I could change things from the inside. I applied to West Point, and got accepted. 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. Your donations help us to promote EQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL, regardless of rank or privilege. 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. Rapone could not be reached for comment. The set up is that Heffington is in his office grading papers. WE WANT ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THOSE WHO CONSPIRED TO WRONGFULLY IMPRISON THIS OUTSTANDING AIR FORCE OFFICER. I knew there could be repercussions, said Rapone, who is scheduled to speak at a socialism conference in Chicago next month. 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. 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. Butbecause Rapone had served as an enlisted soldier, he would have received an honorable discharge before becoming an officer, Christensen said. IT TURNS OUT THE ARMY REALLY DOESNT WANT ANYONE TO KNOW ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS AS VICTIMS. Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com. All Rights Reserved. He told the AP he received death threats but found solace in hearing from like-minded troops. We do this by continually exposing a corrupt, multi-tiered judicial system, which allows officers to escape prosecution through retirement. During the Vietnam War era, we had hundreds of union meetings happening within the rank and file of the military on a daily basis. We wouldnt tolerate that from a private, why would we tolerate it from someone who is being trained to hold a commission. Spenser displays his 1st Ranger Battalion combat patch while he poses for a photo with other cadets at West Point. Heres one of our previous posts from our esteemed Editor Emeritus, WEST POINT HAS GONE TO HELL! Youre proof that resistance is still possible within an all-volunteer military, but how do we create more of that? An other than honorable discharge means Rapone will not be entitled to VA benefits or the GI Bill. 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. 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. It didnt take me long to realize that my experiences did not reflect that in the slightest. The opening I saw was the one-year anniversary of Colin Kaepernicks protest of police brutality. He ultimately resigned his commission, and was separated from the Army in June 2018 with an Other Than Honorable discharge.. Marine staff member suffers self-inflicted gunshot wound at Home of the Commandants. 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. 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.. What I saw completely stunned me. As I said, this is a peculiarly West Point idea that puts the onus on the superior to not ask really uncomfortable questions. NEW ARMY BROCHURE ABOUT SVC RIGHTS ATTEMPTS TO DECEIVE ARMY PERSONNEL BY OMITTING CRITICAL INFORMATION. Whether youre in combat arms or not, theres a tangible chance that youll be killed. He has deployed to Afghanistan and received a combat infantryman badge (CIB). The 25 year-old butter bar lieutenant prefers an enemy regime to our own democracy. We were just persecuting and terrorizing some of the most exploited people on Earth with one of the most technologically advanced militaries in history. 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. You signed up and went to West Point, in part, for an education. Army officials at the Pentagon declined to comment on the details of Rapones discharge, citing privacy concerns. Follow me on Twitter. 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. When I enlisted during the Obama era, one of the prevailing themes was the commander in chief doesnt understand what were doing. The casual racism you see in American society is intensified in the military because of the hyper-masculine environment, especially in combat arms. Of course my military career is dead in the water. Hed be good at following the party line.. John Nettleton was found guilty of obstructing justice, concealing information, falsifying records and making false statements in connection with the death of Christopher Tur. But you can explain what their material relation to violence and power will be as a soldier and the harsh reality of what that means. 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. 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. weve done it before), is being led into battle by a Captain or Major Rapone. Note here. 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. Hes holding up a sign under his hat, and it says, Communism will win. But you sat on the photo for a while. 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.. Thats why he richly deserves the nickname NO COMBAT Colpo. His time at the academy only deepened his socialist views. Yesterday, this sworn statement surfaced. 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.. This site is owned and operated by Bright Mountain Media, Inc., a publicly owned company trading with the symbol. We dont get it why didnt Spenser Rapone become a journalist and work for a major news organization in the United States? The Army kicked him out. It is not clear if he had the ability to attend Ranger school while serving in the Army Rangers or if he attended and failed. 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. THE MARINE CORPS SHOULD BE DEEPLY ASHAMED FOR RAILROADING AN INNOCENT MAN INTO PRISON! he perpetually needs a haircut, andhe never seems to get one even after being corrected for it. 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. An Independent, Progressive Journal of News and Opinion. 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. A former member of the 75th Ranger Regiment-turned West Point graduate and infantry officer has -for better or worse- put his far-left wing ideologies on display during his graduation from the US Military Academy in May of last year. A LOT. (@punkproletarian) September 25, 2017. First, to get through West Point despite my political beliefs I was almost kicked out my senior year for espousing a communist political line. Youre essentially guilty until proven innocent. Spenser Rapone tells how he discovered that the military he joined wasn't what Hollywood and commercials had made it out to be. I tried to submit a conditional resignation, saying I wanted to leave, and asked for a general discharge. The alumniof the United States Military Academy at West Point spanpresidents, generals and astronauts in what its students call the Long Gray Line, a nod to the Army service academys central role in educating leaders years before they rise to prominence. In the old days, the military would error on the side of caution. But he wasnt accepted to West Point, so Rapone enlisted in the Army. ALL HE WANTS IS A FAIR JUDICIAL PROCESS. We have to talk about the picture that caused this whole situation for you. I was still idealistic, he said. I figured maybe I could change things from inside.. 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. Comparisons of claims against the evidence. I got back and began trying to process what I witnessed. 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. 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. So he goes to the office: There were four cadets in the office, three of whom were inuniform and one in civilian clothes. Right: Army Private First Class Spenser Rapone receiving his "Ranger Scrol" patch after completing Ranger Assessment and Selection Program in 2011. Many other military personnel also tweeted in favor of Kaepernick, although most were supporting free speech, not communism. On the surface, it would seem that mere employment in the military would be incompatible with his political beliefs. For those who havent seen it, Spenser is at his West Point graduation. They discussed Rapones time in the military, the myths of American empire, and how to rebuild the antiwar movement. 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. This article was published more than4 years ago. 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. 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.. Spenser Rapone was accepted to West Point in 2012, graduated in 2016 and received an other than honorable discharge in June. 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. 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. This was for a couple reasons. 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. He accuses West Point of being part of an imperialist narrative, and he is very accusatory of the United States in general. His expulsion came after a viral tweet showing him clad in uniform, fist raised displaying a 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. 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. You posted it with a hashtag, #VeteransforKaepernick. Spenser Rapone (Twitter) Rapone was an infantry officer in the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, N.Y. Pentagon suspends war games with South Korea after Trumps meeting with Kim. Many other military personnel also tweeted in favor of Kaepernick, although most were supporting free speech, not communism. I apologize., Im from New Castle, Pennsylvania, which is a classic Rust Belt city. So I decided to enlist as an infantryman out of high school. Rapone previously served as an enlisted infantryman before enrolling at West Point in 2012. I was always told growing up that the US military protects the innocent, that we fight for freedom, truth, and justice. We havent been so repulsed by a West Point grad since the daze of GEN David Huntoon and his boot-licking chief-of-staff, retired COL Mike NO COMBAT Colpo. Im glad to see that they have given him an other than honorable discharge.. A lot of guys were getting excited at the prospect that we might go into North Korea or possibly Iran. We saw people hijack helicopters within the ranks to drop propaganda flyers over military bases. All rights reserved. Left: Army 2nd Lt. Spenser Rapone graduating from West Point in May of 2016. 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. https://t.co/c3SW0QJsBl https://t.co/c3SW0QJsBl, My eyes are seriously about to roll out of the back of my head. 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. I was still idealistic, he said. I figured maybe I could change things from inside.. 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Rapone was disciplined but still allowed to graduate. As for Rapone, he is a disgrace to Italian-Americans everywhere. 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. 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. The United States Army is so impressed with Spenser Rapone, they decided to promote him to first lieutenant. U.S. government destroying the dollars value through inflation. 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. 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. We call upon Rapones fellow soldiers in the 10th to give him a proper haircut and attitude adjustment. It doesnt happen. I guess any country that appoints someone like John O. Brennan as the CIA Director, will ultimately have a percentage of its military officers as Communists mixed in with a few terrorists here and there. pic.twitter.com/PP5lvIR8Pp. Moreover, CDT Raponesposts indicate that he hates West Point, the U.S. Army, and indeed this country. 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. Trumps election emboldened them to act out in a way that wasnt typical before. Friday, June 8, 2018, Click During the interview, he expressed patriotism and looked just like a top-notch candidate. Looks like the Commie Cadet is well on his way to become the first Army General who advocates the overthrow of the American Government. To bookmark your favorite articles and follow your favorite authors, please, Now you can personalize your Truthdig experience. 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. 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'. I was told I was in this elite unit with elite soldiers. MAJOR CLARENCE ANDERSON FILES MASSIVE FEDERAL LAWSUIT AGAINST THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE. Indeed,this is not the first time l have corrected CDT Rapone for ridiculously unprofessional behavior. He could have been comfortable for the rest of his life. I wouldnt just be a soldier Id have to influence soldiers who were my subordinates. Already on our list? 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. But you asked how we get more people to resist. The Chevron Doctrine: Will the Supreme Court's Ruling Protect Liberty? The right-wing hysteria was quickly whipped up: publications like the Daily Caller and Infowars ran stories. 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. 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. Our politically correct Army got a whole bunch of people killed because they were too squeamish to remove a terrorist from the ranks. COL. MIKE NO COMBAT COLPO, THE CHAIRBORNE RANGER. Over the past couple of weeks a lot of attention has been called to the case of an avowed communist, anti-American, and, indeed, anti-military graduate of the United States Military Academy names Spenser Rapone (see this and this). I decided that was an opening to express how I feel. No one likes to deploy; no one likes to be separated from their friends and family to go inflict violence on human beings. 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. Copyright 2023 The Washington Times, LLC. He was an honors student, an athlete, a model citizen who volunteered in the community, recalled Altmire, a Democrat. Being a devout Communist in the military is not enough to bring charges, or an administrative separation, but it is good for promotion, especially in the United States Army. Again, his demeanor was one of utter contempt forme, and apparently for the expectation that he would conduct himself in a professional manner. All rights reserved. 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. 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. He has also been known to contribute to the left-wing think tank, The Hampton Institute. 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. Copyright 2023 PopularMilitary | All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. They made me stay in there for what they told me was for my own safety. I told him that he may have to wait, but he certainly did notneed to lie down across the hallway so his legs block the way for everyone else. A number of readers have sent us links to Gateway Pundit and LawNewz in regards to this fellow Spenser Rapone, who, as a USMA cadet posed with items supporting communism and expressed support for k The Washington Times THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT MAJOR ANDERSON WAS RAILROADED INTO PRISON. 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. Terms of Use / Privacy Policy / Manage Newsletters, - 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. 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. Thoughts like yours go through a lot of soldiers heads, but its the repercussions that keep them from acting on them. baltimore ravens marching band salary, african soft fur rats legal states, koenig knives arizona,