Spenser Rapone | Author | Common Dreams Iremember one time it achaplain said we were about bringing wrath upon these people, and Iwas like, Wow, these people have some kind of crusader fantasy. It was prettyunsettling. He said that we need to do something about this Rapone guy. 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.. Two weeks later, they issued me my discharge papers and Ileft. Journalist Chris Hedges interviews former combat veteran and US Army officer, Spenser Rapone about bravery and morality. Rainmixing with snow overnight. 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. No political movement can be healthy unless it has its own press to inform it, educate it and orient it. During the interview, he expressed patriotism and looked just like a top-notch candidate. Ill probably be doing some learning and listening to some activists who have been doing this longer than Ihave to find my place inthis. An investigation into Rapones behavior quickly commenced and he was placed on a monitoring regimesaid to be for his own safety. Resolution to DSA National Convention Atlanta Georgia July 2019. 51 1 0 obj
The soldier pictured, now 2nd Lt. Spenser Rapone, had been openly serving as an avowed communist supporting the downfall of the U.S. government. In response, the Army has opened an investigation intoRapone for his social media comments. 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. New cadets are outfitted with their initial issue of military clothing, receive haircuts and get their first lessons in marching, military courtesy and discipline. He added that it's possible the military academy could seek repayment of the cost of Rapone's education because he didn't serve the full five-year service obligation required upon graduation. And youve heard from other veterans and servicemembers? Mr. Rapone retweeted the message. On the other hand, many people reached out and showed me support. Latest. In another, he raises his fist and flips his cap to reveal the message: Communism will win.. He was an idealistic teenager from the rural Rust Belt town of New Castle, Pennsylvania (literally the Fireworks Capital of America), who embraced patriotic jingoism and enlisted in the army straight out of highschool. Rapone said an investigation found he went online to advocate for a socialist revolution and disparage high-ranking officers. 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. [7], Members of the Democratic Socialists of America Wholesome Meme Stash closed Facebook group, accessed November 14, 2017 included Spenser Rapone. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
West Point Superintendent responds: We're investigating Spenser Rapone <>/Metadata 248 0 R/ViewerPreferences 249 0 R>>
Aside from his recent West Point graduation, Rapone was an infantry officer in the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York. As described by The Red Nation, The Red Deal is not a counter program of the GND.
Spenser Rapone (@SpenserRapone) / Twitter The class of 2022 included 400 minority cadets, among them 186 African Americans, 104 Hispanic Americans, 99 Asian Americans and 11 Native Americans, according to West Point. Previously, he served as the director of Public Education for the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Chicago. Have a tip or story idea? Upon completion of Cadet Basic Training, scheduled for August 17, they'll be accepted into the Corps of Cadets. Low around 35F. 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.
Army officer 'socialist organizer' Spenser Rapone gets other than Rapone had previously deployed to Afghanistan where he received a Combat Infantryman Badgemeaning he has fought in active ground combat. Sign up to become a Sustainer before the deadline and take advantage of our best offer ever. 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. Despite his growing disillusionment about the military, he applied and got in. 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. Iwasnt quite asocialist yet, but Iknew Iwas against the war. Threats of harming another The Army often invokes privacy concerns when dealing with information about junior ranking soldiers, though there is no blanket policy for the Defense Department. Rapone was initially in high spirits during said investigation. The Intelligentsia, the caption read. 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.
[email protected] Education University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas 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". WATERTOWN, N.Y. 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 Navy, on the other hand, readily releases full investigations into rank-and-file sailors when their cases have become infamous. 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. Yeah. She covers operations, policy, personnel, leadership and other issues affecting service members. ;Z*A.,Gr+UYn>SYQel:2>pUpk'+0?@t
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The DSAs Veterans Working Group, of which Rapone is a member, also offered support to him in a statement. You go in with acertain vision in your head of what being in the military is and then you see the reality of it. (Chicago), Nazir Khan (Twin Cities). %
Its not illegal to be acommunist in the military, but since Iwas in uniform, and in their mind, making apolitical statement and posted on social media, they lumped it all together as this nebulous unbecoming conduct charge and said Iwas advocating forviolence. "He was an honors student, an athlete, a model citizen who volunteered in the community," recalled Altmire, a Democrat. He didnt want all these honorifics. 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.. 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. The Army confirmed that Rapone graduated from West Point in 2016 and is now serving as a second lieutenant with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, based in Fort Drum, New York. How Peter Mims spent a week hiding in a warships engine room, 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? Of the incoming class, 180 were African American, 145 were Hispanic Americans, 99 were Asian Americans and 19 were Native Americans. Have thoughts or reactions to this or any other piece that you'd like to share? 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.
The Saga of the Commie Lieutenant Comes to an End - RedState However, the Army has strict rules regarding the wear and appearance of Army uniforms.. West Point's newest class has increased minority representation and the percentage of female new cadets remained consistent with previous years. Hes also tweeted out that hell happily dance on GOP Sen. John McCains grave.
A Soldier's Tale of bravery and morality - The Greanville Post Spenser Rapone, 'Communism will win' officer, receives 'other than 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. On January 5, 2015, he posted a Slate.com article calling for the abolishment of West Point. Top brass at Fort Drum accepted Rapone's resignation Monday after an earlier reprimand for "conduct unbecoming of an officer." "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.". Douglas Ernst can be reached at
[email protected]. Ihad astatement Iwas working on for several months and was waiting for the right time to say it without having to worry aboutpunishment. 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. The former West Point cadet who called himself Commie Beebop on Twitter rejoined civilian life without an honorable discharge. 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. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Rapones activities caught the attention of command authorities this week after he posted photos of himself in his West Point uniform while promoting communism on social media. Also during that time, Rapones Facebook posts grew increasingly radical and leftist. Are there more restrictions against certain kinds of speech after 9/11? 1.78 m). Can you describe the backlash you experienced afterthat?