https://t.co/c3SW0QJsBl https://t.co/c3SW0QJsBl, My eyes are seriously about to roll out of the back of my head. West Point's newest class has increased minority representation and the percentage of female new cadets remained consistent with previous years. Meghann Myers is the Pentagon bureau chief at Military Times. For me, Icouldnt shake the fact that what we were doing was wrong and morallyreprehensible. Rainmixing with snow overnight. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. Don't knowingly lie about anyone The two appear to have traveled together to the Taj Mahal in March 2014, according to pictures posted on his Facebook page. pic.twitter.com/BIPzfEHmoP, Rory Fanning (@RTFanning) June 5, 2018. Follow him on Twitter: @punkproletarian. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. 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. So Istarted to think of what Icould do and then 10 months after Trump was elected, Colin Kaepernick lost his job essentially. 4 0 obj Ithink it shows some peoples priority. Whatever happened to that communist lieutenant? Be Nice. 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. Spenser is my son and I love him dearly however I do not like nor condone his politics, his actions or behavior. Later, he served as an Army Ranger and was deployed to Afghanistan on special mission. 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. He was nominated out of high school by. US report shows China taking steps toward space dominance, Biden to allow Afghans to stay longer in US, sources say, Michigan expands absentee voting for military members, Some companies charge hefty fees to help vets with disability claims, Meet 12M+, the new community app for military spouses, Your next tech and incoming AI | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 4.28.2023, Home Improvement Loans What are my options? Since the class of 2012, the percentage of women entering West Point increased by about 10 percent, according to data on class characteristics. Of the incoming class, 180 were African American, 145 were Hispanic Americans, 99 were Asian Americans and 19 were Native Americans. Rapone came under fire last year for his social media posts of socialist and communist content. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporters byline and their DCNF affiliation. They compiled all the things Ive said, the subversive things Ive said about Trump and various elected officials like General Mattis, and essentially gave me anumber of options. [from Resolution #34] Amplify the perspectives & insights of impacted communities through national media platforms. Due to the form of discharge received, Rapone may be ineligible for VA benefits or the GI Bill. I have no doubt that the U.S. Army will take appropriate action, Altmire said. Also during that time, Rapones Facebook posts grew increasingly radical and leftist. For sure, Pat was abig influence on me. In response, the Army has opened an investigation intoRapone for his social media comments. 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. Template:TOCnestleft When those three elements combine, thats what makes it sodifficult. They dont care about veterans outside of serving their politics for aparticular right-wing vision. But he wasnt accepted to West Point, so Rapone enlisted in the Army. There are a lot of veterans both active duty and not that feel like I do.". Rubio was apart of that cabal of capitalists andcollaborators. Have thoughts or reactions to this or any other piece that you'd like to share? [1] Go to the main page of ISO Socialism Conference Rasheed Hosein, a professor of Middle East history was in charge of Second Lieutenant Spenser Rapones development at West Point. And youve heard from other veterans and servicemembers? Money Minute, What's next for experimental AI projects in the C4ISR sphere. Template:TOCnestleft Spenser Rapone was a US Army officer and Democratic Socialists of America member. 7hVccY[2a/;#mD.RA$1Q2J&`"(P&UX IdYFajS0 Odu&3 ofc,bc1RJfb{w5!s/d J/dSDi(hED1+@Iw/[6[*A|lx=` = _s[}ec88vvW='H(}edW+],stTCbe_X^AjQ@&=62ccl/vo`S!ds^"Mc!dfFfYZmg;Xyx@n#|1_P ~io Ux!ZZ{g+vN=;+t~:!Q]xIBUp^f+m`3T-(X'3wpdE]2 ^ n@]fn`7|E Leo Gerard, United Steelworkers President, 125 Years After the Pullman Uprising, We Could Be on the Verge of Another Sympathy Strike Wave, Barbara Ehrenreich on Science vs. Mysticism. Send tips tojonah@dailycallernewsfoundation.org. Our conversation will be called Resisting Within the Ranks., Spenser Is being discharged from the military with an Other Than Honorable discharge this June, in part, because Maro Rubio penned a panic-stricken letter to acting Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy demanding, Florida Senator Marco Rubio called on the U.S. Army to remove Rapone and make him pay back his tuition for advocating for communism., U.S. Army spokesperson Valerie Mongello had told American Military News that while the Department of Defense and Army encourage soldiers to participate in the democratic process, the Army has strict rules regarding the wear and appearance of Army uniforms., West Point Military Academy had also responded to the situation, and released a statement saying Rapones actions in no way reflect the values of the U.S. Military Academy or the U.S. Army., Spenser Rapone (Photos from Social Media, Compiled by American Military News). My attorney told me they wanted to get apound of flesh from me, but Ididnt do anything illegal. 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. Are walking blood banks coming to a field hospital near you? 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. Rapone is listed as one of the speakers for Socialism 2018, which is slated for early July in Chicago. At that point, again, Iwanted nothing to do with the military because Ifind their rule morally reprehensible and ethically unsound, so Isubmitted my resignation. Don't Threaten. Upon completion of Cadet Basic Training, scheduled for August 17, they'll be accepted into the Corps of Cadets. "He was an honors student, an athlete, a model citizen who volunteered in the community," recalled Altmire, a Democrat. He then deployed to Afghanistan, where he earned a combat infantryman badge. In my own unit, Isaw no commitment to learning about the Afghan people or trying to understand them or their culture. In another, he raises his fist and flips his cap to reveal the message: "Communism will win." The Army Times reports in 2018: Copyright 2023 by the Institute for Public Affairs (EIN: 94-2889692). Igot flagged and essentially told that if Iposted anything else, Iwould be in moretrouble. Low around 35F. Rapone had also posted a second photo of himself in uniform, and he is seen wearing a Che Guevara T-shirt underneath his uniform jacket. Aside from his recent West Point graduation, Rapone was an infantry officer in the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York. 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. Hoseins bio on the West Point website lists Rapone as one of two cadets he last advised at West Point. [6], Members of Democratic Socialists of America's Socialist Punk Caucus closed Facebook group, accessed November 24, 2017, included Spenser Rapone. And those views only hardened during his studies of history as one of the academy's "Long Gray Line.". It wasnt nearly to that level before the 9/11 era and thats part of why Ispeak out. Iwas just using all of this expensive equipment in one of the poorest places on earth to serve the interests of acapitalist class. He was also Muslim Lay Chaplain at West Point, Officer in Charge of the Muslim Cadet Association, and Emeritus Facility Adviser of Phi Alpha Theta, a national history honor society of which Rapone was a member, according to a photo. Ithink some people are more anti-Trump than they are anti-war. Spenser R. Rapone Graduate Student, Department of History, University of Texas at Austin 128 Inner Campus Dr. B7000, GAR 1.104, Austin, Texas 78712-1739 p. (512) 471-3261 e. srrapone@utexas.edu Education University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas |?RzNB*0t[%vTvRHhii\&4PGO>]~:.1b"* 97by7=w|i>edjR9@6$Ol~9U`: onj "8W(:!,w0e0eIvsRdR5y6odwq,lAQ6Az!F Xig'" aNJFNED$Z9CYOzjc!=;{21m%veb0Nf[,|lj{(/ At the time, he was an outstanding, well-rounded student who came from a good family. [7], Members of the Democratic Socialists of America Wholesome Meme Stash closed Facebook group, accessed November 14, 2017 included Spenser Rapone. 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. 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. Obviously this didnt go to court martial. WATCH LIVE: Retrial for Florida man Eric Robinson accused of brutal love triangle murder, Law&Crime Looks Ahead to 10 Remarkable Criminal Trials Scheduled for the First Half of 2023, 9 Shocking Times Defendants Testified at Trial, 10 Most Memorable Law&Crime Network Trials, Former Christian missionary convicted of sexual abuse and incest after victim under the age of 12 contracts gonorrhea, Im sorry. In 2021 Spenser Rapone was hired at the University of Texas in Austin in the History Departments New School for Social Research. 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. 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 think theres acouple things that happened since. We now consider the matter closed, Hill said. He was nominated out of high school by then-U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire in 2010. But the service declined to disclose what investigators found, how Rapone had been disciplined, or even if he has been allowed to stay in the service. 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. Trump and other right wingers also still trot out Pat Tillman as asymbol. On the other hand, many people reached out and showed me support. Right: Army Private First Class Spenser Rapone receiving his "Ranger Scrol" patch after completing Ranger Assessment and Selection Program in 2011. . But then Igot deployed to Afghanistan, and my experience overseas showed me that if anything, Iwas making adifference for those with power and wealth. Or, Icould submit an unconditional resignation and they can give me whatever discharge they want. Rapone's father, a local politician in Pennsylvania, explicitly disavowed his son's political views Tuesday in a Facebook post. Guevara was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary who believed the poor people of Latin America would be saved by communism. Rapone will eventually have an opportunity to petition for an upgrade in his discharge status, however, which would have a positive impact on his eligibility. 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. Rapones activism while in uniform appears to be much broader than those two photos. They represent our nation's promise for the future," Deborah McDonald, director of admissions, said in a statement. Are walking blood banks coming to a field hospital near you? There were no red flags of any kind.. The Armys statement comes days after some media outlets reported that Rapone had received an other than honorable discharge from the Army. Officially, the Army said in a statement only that it conducted a full investigation and "appropriate action was taken. By Debra Heine 10:26 PM on October 05, 2017. I knew there could be repercussions, said Rapone, who is scheduled to speak at a socialism conference in Chicago next month. Mar 29 Damascus is under attack. On August 7, Rapone posted a photo on his Instagram account of himself in his Army uniform wearing a Democratic Socialists of America Membership card that says, official socialist organizer.. So theres thataspect. Be Truthful. Lt. Spenser Rapone is under investigation after tweeting photos of himself support communism while in uniform. Get the whole story: Subscribe to In These Times magazine. 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. Some of the people who respect the troops are also the ones who most want to privatize the VA. Im probably going to take some time to decompress and process all Ive been through. He is a man of above-average stature. (Via Twitter). The term communism itself seemed to engender acertain response from Rubio. It is against Army regulations to wear the uniform in connection with the furtherance of any political or commercial interests or when participating in public demonstrations unless authorized to do so. Republicans apparently don't believe that Americans who work longer hours should get paid more. 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. Toward the end of his deployment, he learned West Point fulfills a certain quota of enlisted soldiers every year. He completed Airborne school and a rigorous Ranger Assessment and Selection Program and was assigned to the 1st Ranger Battalion in Savannah, Georgia. He said that we need to do something about this Rapone guy. In an interview with In These Times, Rapone tells his story of his journey from GI Joe to an anti-war activistand why Rubio got himwrong. 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. 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. Despite his growing disillusionment about the military, he applied and got in. Spenser Rapone was accepted to West Point in 2012, graduated in 2016 and received an "other than honorable discharge" in June. Iwas ahistory major, and Istudied Middle Eastern history specifically. "Several years ago, I met Spenser Rapone when he was a high school student seeking an appointment to West Point," Altmire said. Theyre designed to be profitable. He applied once again to West Point and was accepted. Trump's latest attack addresses DeSantis' overseas trips to the U.K., Israel, Florida's Covid-19 record, and polling support for the 2024 Presidential race. The soldier pictured, now 2nd Lt. Spenser Rapone, had been openly serving as an avowed communist supporting the downfall of the U.S. government. While they were going out partying and drinking, he was avery intellectual man. With all their political gamesmanship, lawmakers forget that real human lives are often on the line. Richard L. Rapone explained that Spenser tried to join West Point straight out of high school but was not accepted. Spenser Rapone is our comrade and we fully support, defend, and encourage him to take whatever steps he sees necessary to express his political beliefs and continue to organize towards a socialist future, the group said. He also stated publicly that Vice President Mike Pence is a fucking medieval, cold-blooded killer.. Resolution to DSA National Convention Atlanta Georgia July 2019. 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. x]on?J"0;]Mq8~PNKw+#"%K,=/yd''Ur%"O30b&-TttxpAY4.e8+OD~H^ Rapone, whose Twitter handle is punkproletarian, recently retweeted posts from Rory Fanning, an ex-Army Ranger who says he will be interviewing Rapone at the conference Socialism 2018., At Socialism 2018 Ill 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. On Monday, the Army's 10th Mountain Division accepted the resignation of 2nd Lt. Rapone less than a year after he posted . We were just going in their homes and threatening their villages and were creating nothing but chaos anddestruction. Spenser Rapone, the former Army second lieutenant whose "Communism will win" photos went viral in 2017, has received an "other than honorable" discharge. Richard L. Rapone explained that Spenser tried to join West Point straight out of high school but was not accepted. 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. 2 0 obj U*Z|rqO During the interview, he expressed patriotism and looked just like a top-notch candidate. Rapone said an investigation found he went online to advocate for a socialist revolution and disparage high-ranking officers. Iwasnt quite asocialist yet, but Iknew Iwas against the war. Keep it Clean. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism 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. One picture showed him in uniform, opening his shirt to show an of Che Guevara. Rapone was an infantry officer in the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, N.Y. Army Commie Cadet Gets Promoted to 1LT. There are a lot of veterans both active duty and not that feel like I do.. Use the 'Report' link on vltD+u 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. Despite his growing disillusionment about the military, he applied and got in. Second Lieutenant Rapones actions in no way reflect the values of the U.S. Military Academy or the U.S. Army, it said. But after being deployed to Afghanistan and seeing the violence his unit was helping to inflict, Rapone grew increasingly disillusioned with the military. 51 So, for me, Iwas trying to resolve this contradiction because no one over here was threatening freedom or democracy or anything like that. Spenser Rapone, U.S. Army. The appropriate Command authorities are reviewing the situation, an Army spokesman said. There were no red flags of any kind.". It strikes me how much, as aculture, weve praised troops since 9/11. 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. His Facebook, where he goes under Giuseppe Impastato, was private. He was nominated out of high school by then-U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire in 2010. New room decor until its flying proudly in the streets. Top brass at Fort Drum accepted Rapone's resignation Monday after an earlier reprimand for "conduct unbecoming of an officer." Joe, but he wanted none of that. Back in 2018, images of Spenser Rapone at his West Point graduation went viral. Most importantly, you'll the knowledge that you are part of keeping independent, progressive journalism alive and accessible for everyone. Rapone has also posted on Facebook a picture of himself holding up the Communist Manifesto, with his Army dress uniform hanging in the closet in the background and a number of posts showing opposition for Trump policies and administration officials and support for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) at least since 2015. stream I have not been in touch with him in the years since the appointment, and I was shocked and extremely disappointed in the recent reports of his indefensible actions.. Lt. Rapone, a member of the 10th Mountain Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, first drew attention when he tweeted an image from his Twitter account, @punkproletarian, with "Communism Will Win". The second lieutenant was given an "other than honorable" discharge June 18 after an Army investigation determined that he "went online to promote a socialist revolution and disparage high-ranking officers" and thereby had engaged in "conduct unbecoming an officer." "I figured maybe I could change things from inside.". As a Facebook friend since 2014, Hosein would have been aware of Rapones Facebook postings between 2014 and when he graduated in 2016. 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. Communist ex-Ranger and West Pointer receiving a other than honorable discharge. Toward the end of his deployment, he learned West Point fulfills a certain quota of enlisted soldiers every year. Spenser Rapone, 26, became notable a bit faster than most graduates. They're also given 60 seconds to say goodbye to their families, who they may or may not contact during Cadet Basic Training. As a reader-supported 501(c)3 nonprofit, In These Times does not oppose or endorse candidates for political office. There is no better way to support this workand no better time to join. 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.
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