You signed up and went to West Point, in part, for an education. 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. It could be anything from sympathy to his views to gutlessness to gay sex. Whether youre in combat arms or not, theres a tangible chance that youll be killed. I was still idealistic, he said. I figured maybe I could change things from inside.. here for reprint permission. 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 was an honors student, an athlete, a model citizen who volunteered in the community, recalled Altmire, a Democrat. I knew there could be repercussions, said Rapone, who is scheduled to speak at a socialism conference in Chicago next month. So I took those pictures both as my own individual act of rebellion, but also so that if there was ever an opening, I could use them for some larger, political purpose. Robert E. Lee is practically a fixture on campus. 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. He was nominated out of high school by then-U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire in 2010. Raponereceived an other than honorable discharge, the AP reported, an administrative separation reserved for misconduct. Whatever happened to duty, honor, country?. This site is owned and operated by Bright Mountain Media, Inc., a publicly owned company trading with the symbol. So he goes to the office: There were four cadets in the office, three of whom were inuniform and one in civilian clothes. May 29, 2018 Admin. 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 This article was published more than4 years ago. 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. Theres no tangible objective other than to make it endless, to continue lining the pockets of Raytheon, Boeing, and so on. Prior to West Point, the New Castle, PA native enlisted in the Army where he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 54th Infantry Regiment at Fort Benning for basic training and infantry training in 2010. Lets accommodate him. All rights reserved. Butbecause Rapone had served as an enlisted soldier, he would have received an honorable discharge before becoming an officer, Christensen said. The White House claimed not. He may at some point grow out of this phase, but the Army does not have the the luxury of allowing him the opportunity to sort out his beliefs while charged with the sacred duty of leading American Soldiers. Communist ex-Ranger and West Pointer receiving a other than honorable discharge. 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. The United States Army is so impressed with Spenser Rapone, they decided to promote him to first lieutenant. 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.. At that time, I had some idea of what US imperialism constituted from my own experiences, but I didnt have a political education, which is crucial to understanding these things. THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT MAJOR ANDERSON WAS RAILROADED INTO PRISON. What will it take for the academy to pull down these totems of white supremacy? Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com. But he put some skin in the game, and he suffered for it. First, to get through West Point despite my political beliefs I was almost kicked out my senior year for espousing a communist political line. ALL HE WANTS IS A FAIR JUDICIAL PROCESS. 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. Someone at West Point was protecting him. 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. 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. They discussed Rapones time in the military, the myths of American empire, and how to rebuild the antiwar movement. Spenser Rapone, U.S. Army. If the latter is true, he is a coward and a hypocrite who refuses to discontinue his association with an institution that, as he sees it, is a tool of an inherently unjust, immoral, and imperialist state. 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. 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. 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. Openly Communist US Army officer During the interview, he expressed patriotism and looked just like a top-notch candidate. 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. Rapone previously served as an enlisted infantryman before enrolling at West Point in 2012. Who Was Protecting the Commie West Point Graduate And Why? Why this rough, tough Army Infantry officer (he was called behind his back the chairBORNE Ranger) never even went overseas during three decades drawing a fat paycheck. Spenser Rapone is a former Army Ranger and Infantry Officer recently separated from the military for speaking out against its imperialist violence. As for Rapone, he is a disgrace to Italian-Americans everywhere. The Washington Times COL. DANIEL H. WILSON, USMC WAS RELEASED FROM PRISON 3 YEARS AGO. (@punkproletarian) September 25, 2017. In response, West Point said in Septemberthat Rapones actions in no way reflect the values of the U.S. Military Academy or the U.S. Army., Air Force cancels $24 million contract to replace Air Force Ones refrigerators. Im from New Castle, Pennsylvania, which is a classic Rust Belt city. Colonel Van T. Barfoot A MAN WORTH REMEMBERING. But when you talk to these kids who are signed up, they can tell you very little about the last seventeen years of the war, much less the history of US imperialism around the world. Despite his growing disillusionment about the military, he applied and got in. Instead, he was sneering at something on my uniform. 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. RedState member since 2004. 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. I got back and began trying to process what I witnessed. A recently retired CIA officer remarked to SOFREP that right now our counter-intelligence is so bad that we are only catching the dumb ones, the people stupid enough to out themselves on social media or who mail classified documents to news outlets, Mr. Murphy continued. Spenser Rapone is a former Army Ranger and Infantry Officer who resigned his commission in June 2018 due to his opposition to United States imperialism. Spenser Rapone Army officer 'socialist organizer' Spenser Rapone gets 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. Can you start off by telling us about your background and why you decided to join the military? The right-wing hysteria was quickly whipped up: publications like the Daily Caller and Infowars ran stories. Looks like the Commie Cadet is well on his way to become the first Army General who advocates the overthrow of the American Government. 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. 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. We had hundreds of incidents where soldiers were fragging and killing their officers. 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. He can pay back the U.S. taxpayer for fraud, then grab the next space-available flight to Seoul, Korea. WE PROVIDE AN UPDATE AND LESSONS LEARNED. Well, he certainly took that to heart, didnt he. A US Army officer and West Point graduate is on his way out with a less than honorable discharge* after exposing himself as a Communist who does not support the US Constitution. He enlisted as an infantryman out of high school in 2010, and deployed to Afghanistan in 2011. We were bullies in one of the poorest countries on Earth, Rapone said. He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 and was assigned as an assistant machine gunner in Khost Province. Before, soldiers would feel hesitant about saying blatantly racist or sexist things. 1. knightro2323 6 yr. ago. I was still idealistic, he said. I figured maybe I could change things from inside.. I replied Okay, thats one person. And I was a young male in American society, so I watched a lot of Hollywood movies, a lot of TV shows. 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. Spenser Rapone, the former second lieutenant whose Communism will win photos went viral in 2017, has received an other than honorable discharge from the Army. Already on our list? Can you talk about the repercussions afterwards, not only from the military, but the right-wing media, your family, etc.? (Courtesy of Spenser Rapone via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Now, they error on the side of political correctness. I didnt want to grovel before the empire, and knew itd be a show trial at best, so I submitted my resignation. As I said, this is a peculiarly West Point idea that puts the onus on the superior to not ask really uncomfortable questions. I asked CDT Rapone what made him thinkit was okay to reply to a direct question from an officer with a response like that, and he replied, Well you dont have the rightto barge into an office and interrupt a conversation you dont have anything to do with!. he perpetually needs a haircut, andhe never seems to get one even after being corrected for it. 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. The set up is that Heffington is in his office grading papers. I knew there could be repercussions, said Rapone, who is scheduled to speak at a socialism conference in Chicago next month. NCAA basketball referee pleads guilty to molesting teen bo Woman has 'loud, full body orgasm' in the middle of LA concert, Accused drunk driver 'strongly refused' sobriety test after crash that killed bride, Bride killed, groom seriously hurt by drunk driver just minutes after leaving reception, The best-dressed celebs at the 2023 Met Gala: Rihanna, Gisele Bndchen, more, Kim Kardashians Met Gala 2023 look sparks comparisons to Playboy cover, Kim Kardashian, Pete Davidson reunite at Met Gala 9 months after breakup, Khristina Williams previews the New York Liberty's 2023 WNBA season, Elon Musk Tells Bill Maher Woke Mind Virus Is Dangerous On Real Time, Katy Perry will be temporarily replaced on 'American Idol' amid drama. On Monday, the Armys 10th Mountain Division accepted the resignation of 2nd Lt. Raponeless than a year after he posted photos of himself at his 2016 graduation, posing in a Che Guevara shirt under his uniform, along with a fist salute to underline a message written in his cap: Communism will win., The photos, which Raponeposted to social media last September, created a fierce backlash, sparked death threats and drew calls from Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) to investigate Rapones online writing last fall. His expulsion came after a viral tweet showing him clad in uniform, fist raised displaying a 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. In the old days, the military would error on the side of caution. A lot of guys were getting excited at the prospect that we might go into North Korea or possibly Iran. When it comes to antiwar resistance theres an insistence on making it anti-Trump, or at the time, anti-Bush, rather than antiwar. 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. 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. Ranger We had the misfortune of crossing paths with that politically-correct butt kisser years ago at the Army War College and Carlisle Barracks. 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. Rapones discharge will place him in a situation where he will not be entitled to VA benefits and he may have to reimburse the US Government for his time at West Point. A glaring example of that is that many of the politicians who claim to be staunch patriots and support the troops want to privatize the VA. Aside from that, reaching active-duty soldiers? U.S. government destroying the dollars value through inflation. Getting out of the military is daunting, especially as an officer. 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 U.S. Military Academy. Background, Update to Spener Rapone Story By many accounts, he is . He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 and was assigned as an assistant machine gunner in Khost Province. Spenser Rapone tells how he discovered that the military he joined wasn't what Hollywood and commercials had made it out to be. prior enlisted Ranger, receives punishment Left: Army 2nd Lt. Spenser Rapone graduating from West Point in May of 2016. Missouri Judge Blocks State's Ban on Child Sexual Mutilation, Hell Freezes Over: Trump to Participate in CNN New Hampshire Town Hall, Chicago Mayor Slams Gov. Commie Cadet sends vulgar message on his way out of the Army I interpreted this to be a thinly veiled threat, as if he was planning to take some sort of action against me. Whatever happened to that communist lieutenant? The Army 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. Hes not just reporting Rapone, hes going a long distance to ensure that he is seen as blameless. I decided that was an opening to express how I feel. Spenser Rapone 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. He also is a supporter of another punk, spoiled millionaire football player Colin Kaepernick whos the current darling of those who follow the likes of Obama and that whining bitch Hillary Clinton. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Yesterday, this sworn statement surfaced. Army splits with West Point grad who touted communist revolt The idea of an avowed communist subverting important military units and functions from within has the potential to be catastrophic., SEE ALSO: Spenser Rapone, West Point alumnus, riles with pro-Kaepernick Communism Will Win photo. Some more RUMINT on Comrade Rapone Were in Chicago. The former West Point cadet who called himself Commie Beebop on Twitter rejoined civilian life without an honorable discharge. West Point We dont get it why didnt Spenser Rapone become a journalist and work for a major news organization in the United States? 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. Rory Fanning is the author of Worth Fighting For: An Army Ranger's Journey Out of the Military and Across America. ARMY LTC JACOB SWEATLAND MAY HAVE A FETISH FOR WATCHING LITTLE GIRLS GET UNDRESSED. here for reprint permission. 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. Click At best, Cadet Rapones online ideological screeds reveal the philosophical infatuations ofa precocious adolescent, rather like a high school boy who cannot stop spouting off about NietzscheAt 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.