Resolution to DSA National Convention Atlanta Georgia July 2019. The Saga of the Commie Lieutenant Comes to an End. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporters byline and their DCNF affiliation. Its atypical right-wing canard with communism that its atotalitarian entity, but thats not what it is. 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). The two appear to have traveled together to the Taj Mahal in March 2014, according to pictures posted on his Facebook page. Be Truthful. 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. Imean, he had acorrespondence with NoamChomsky. Im amember of the DSA, so Iwant to get involved with socialist politics and affect some change. They represent our nation's promise for the future," Deborah McDonald, director of admissions, said in a statement. 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. 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. Left: Army 2nd Lt. Spenser Rapone graduating from West Point in May of 2016. Its my belief when he returned back from Afghanistan there was a notable difference in his political views. In many ways, youre even moredisillusioned. Sign up to become a Sustainer before the deadline and take advantage of our best offer ever. And youve heard from other veterans and servicemembers? There were no red flags of any kind.". Soon after getting to West Point, Isaw that this was astructural problem across the military and that the military itself, its material relation to power, serves the capitalist class. It wasnt nearly to that level before the 9/11 era and thats part of why Ispeak out. So theres thataspect. On March 18, 2014, Hosein posted on his Facebook page, Back from the Taj [Mahal] and it delivered. Two days later, on March 20, 2104, Hosein posted a picture of himself, wearing a long tunic, and Rapone, wearing a turban and a long tunic, with the caption: The brothers are gonna work it out., Two days later, on March 20, 2104, Hosein posted a picture of himself, wearing a long tunic, and Rapone, wearing a turban and a long tunic, with the caption, The brothers are gonna work it out.. New room decor until its flying proudly in the streets. 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. cBf5sIfE*3T0!l&CN+f-:#;p>,vS$E 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. At the time, he was an outstanding, well-rounded student who came from a good family. <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> "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 "I'm glad to see that they have given him an 'other-than-honorable' discharge.". Template:TOCnestleft Spenser Rapone was a US Army officer and Democratic Socialists of America member. "I knew there could be repercussions," said Rapone, who is scheduled to speak at a socialism conference in Chicago next month. Keep it Clean. Idont want people saying that because they are volunteers, theres no room for resisting. Mr. Rapone retweeted the message. Due to privacy act restrictions, we are limited in what information we can provide, Lt. Col. Nina Hill, an Army spokeswoman, told reporters. 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 so-called Commie Cadet was anything but acommunist at the start of his militarycareer. At West Point, Irealized Imight be asocialist. In this June 15, 2018, photo, West Point graduate Spenser Rapone leans on his motorcycle at a park in Watertown, N.Y. Spenser Rapone, a New Castle native, has received an other than honorable discharge from the US Army. For sure, Pat was abig influence on me. Mar 29 Damascus is under attack. Follow him on Twitter: @punkproletarian. Id have to do ashow cause board, which is essentially me convincing them why Ishould stay in themilitary. Rapone is a former Army Ranger turned West Point Cadet who posted photos with his cap showing the phrase, "Communism will win," ultimately expressing his pro-communism views. U*Z|rqO He wanted to enlist and do his time. Id have to file aFOIA request to figure anything out, but Ithink he may have moved the needle alittle bit. He lost his career for speaking truth to power. Fanning wrote that their 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 [Marco] Rubio penned a panic-stricken letter to acting Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy demanding the branch nullify Rapone's military commission after seeing this photo," he wrote. 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. He enlisted in the United States Army right out of high school. Theyre not designed to achieve any sort ofobjective. Spenser Rapone, the former Army second lieutenant whose "Communism will win" photos went viral in 2017, has received an "other than honorable" discharge. To be clear, Rapones discharge is officially based on the fact that he made political gestures while in uniformnot due to the content of said gestures. Those nominations usually come from senators or representatives. Iwas ahistory major, and Istudied Middle Eastern history specifically. Share with Us. One picture showed him in uniform, opening his shirt to show an of Che Guevara. As of Friday, his account was public again. that is degrading to another person. *xU%pm^*CM^1VU%t/{buP3PU eLaN?yj':kd/e&ll*W>(ek=2/,$|D7V Pg.nZA JLM8uq/p{tnPX% ,F:A,K|3KrK2UL.m2`X*uV[f_\8:>v,Tj[ skR%Uk( N*5j-*l t!#GZMrG zgQ,cd5Xp*JKjZM5waYfuXr`RzU;[ek=H>Q)aPN[(X!5(&; They're also given 60 seconds to say goodbye to their families, who they may or may not contact during Cadet Basic Training. Among other activities, Soldiers are encouraged to vote in elections and express their personal opinions on public issues. Top brass at Fort Drum accepted Rapone's resignation Monday after an earlier reprimand for "conduct unbecoming of an officer." The Israeli regime is bombing Syrians during the month of Ramadan while the US is starving Syrian with inhuman and sadistic sanctions. But he wasn't accepted to West Point, so Rapone enlisted in the Army. You start to see why these wars are endless. Then there was the move to an all-volunteer force and thats interesting because asubstantial number of Vietnam resisters were volunteers. 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., Second Lt. Spenser Rapone posted a photo on Twitter of himself posing with a Che Guevara t-shirt under his uniform at his graduation from West Point in May. https://t.co/c3SW0QJsBl https://t.co/c3SW0QJsBl, My eyes are seriously about to roll out of the back of my head. The unit issued its own statement that focused on uniform regulations. It will give them aplatform so they dont have to do this anymoreso they dont have to be acog in the imperialist machineanymore. Seeing and learning about Pat Tillman and how he was able to never be fully assimilated into military culture, it was really inspiring to me and kind of gave me an example to follow in terms of resisting this indoctrination and dehumanization that the military puts youthrough. Go to the main page of ISO Socialism Conference Democratic Socialists of America Veterans Working Group, Democratic Socialists of America Wholesome Meme Stash, DL DSA Veterans Working Group Statement on Afghanistan Posted by Dsa on 08.22.17, https://www.facebook.com/groups/DSAWholesomeMemes/, https://keywiki.org/index.php?title=Spenser_Rapone&oldid=519567, GNU Free Documentation License 1.3 or later. Rapone is listed as one of the speakers for Socialism 2018, which is slated for early July in Chicago. 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. Rapone was initially in high spirits during said investigation. Local man, West Point grad talks about ouster from Army, Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. On Monday, the United States Military Academy welcomed more than 1,190 candidates for Reception Day. Can you describe what you were seeing in in Afghanistan with your owneyes? 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. In total, this signified about a four percent increase in minority enrollment, equal to about 43 people, compared to the previous year. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. From there, Iwould either be retained or kicked out. At ayoung age, youre inundated with propaganda and patriotism, and Ithought Icould make adifference joining the Army. In 2021 Spenser Rapone was hired at the University of Texas in Austin in the History Departments New School for Social Research. Second Lieutenant Rapones actions in no way reflect the values of the U.S. Military Academy or the U.S. Army. He has deployed to Afghanistan and received a combat infantryman badge (CIB). 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? Ithink some people are more anti-Trump than they are anti-war. Despite his growing disillusionment about the military, he applied and got in. (Via Twitter). ", "I consider myself a revolutionary socialist," the 26-year-old Rapone told The Associated Press. <> S5: Episode 31 - Mike Prysner & Spenser Rapone (Podcast Episode 2018) Parents Guide and Certifications from around the world. Iwasnt quite asocialist yet, but Iknew Iwas against the war. endobj As a Facebook friend since 2014, Hosein would have been aware of Rapones Facebook postings between 2014 and when he graduated in 2016. 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.. Later, he served as an Army Ranger and was deployed to Afghanistan on special mission. Rapones activism while in uniform appears to be much broader than those two photos. Rapones Twitter account, where he tweets as @punkproletarian, was previously set to protected while the investigation ran its course. This time Rapone's father himself publicly weighed in on his son's gross comments and anti-American sentiment, according to the Daily Caller. He was in the army for 26years and was in special operations. #AntiFa, he wrote, according to a picture obtained before he took down his account. There is no better way to support this workand no better time to join. "West Point is happy with its highly qualified and diverse classes of 2023," a West Point spokesperson told Newsweek. racist or sexually-oriented language. 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 class of 2023 saw about a four percent increase in minority representation. Helicopters crashed in mountains, fair weather, Army says, Army Special Ops Command welcomes first female command sergeant major, Army identifies 3 soldiers killed in Alaska helicopter crash, Army grounds helicopter fleet for force-wide safety stand down. endobj The military began investigating Mr. At West Point, Hosein had mentored Rapone. Douglas Ernst can be reached at [email protected]. Chris Hedges talks to Spenser Rapone, former combat veteran and US Army officer, about the Washington Post's series the 'Afghanistan Papers'.Drawing on thousands of pages of international government documents about the war in Afghanistan, the series exposes the lies, deceit, mismanagement, waste, corruption, fraud, and failed schemes that both Democratic and Republican administrations . [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. Hoseins bio on the West Point website lists Rapone as one of two cadets he last advised at West Point. The former West Point cadet who called himself Commie Beebop on Twitter rejoined civilian life without an honorable discharge. Its my belief when he returned back from Afghanistan there was a notable difference in his political views, Richard L. Rapone said. %PDF-1.7 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. Due to the form of discharge received, Rapone may be ineligible for VA benefits or the GI Bill. He went viral after posting a photo to Twitter of himself in support of professional football player Colin Kaepernick, where Rapone is seen in his West Point uniform at graduation holding his cap that contains a piece of paper that says Communism will win.. In June, Rapone resigned and now hes out with an other-than-honorabledischarge. Sen. Marco Rubio caught wind of Rapones protest and demanded that the Army boot him from the service. Then, theres anumber of people who Icant name because they might face repression themselves, but anumber of active-duty service members and enlisted soldiers who Im trying to help work through things and counsel them and hopefully inspire them to take the measures to stop serving the AmericanEmpire. On Monday, the Army's 10th Mountain Division accepted the resignation of 2nd Lt. Rapone less than a year after he posted . There are a lot of veterans both active duty and not that feel like I do.. 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 behavior of 2nd Lieutenant Rapone is symbolic of a larger problem in our society the epidemic of incivility in our public discourse, Altmire continued. 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. 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. The two apparently traveled together to India together in 2014 and maintained a close relationship until Rapone graduated in May 2016. 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. Join our brand new verified AMN Telegram channel and get important news uncensored. 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. 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. The more important thing is that alot of other veterans and active duty personnel have had similar experiences to me and have come to similar conclusions, if not the same, and Ihope that by speaking out. 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. Whatever happened to that communist lieutenant? x. The soldier pictured, now 2nd Lt. Spenser Rapone, had been openly serving as an avowed communist supporting the downfall of the U.S. government. He was nominated out of high school by. 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. Of the incoming class, 180 were African American, 145 were Hispanic Americans, 99 were Asian Americans and 19 were Native Americans. In another, he raises his fist and flips his cap to reveal the message: Communism will win.. Movies. 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.. 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. UQuIgR0-8Z4m5D_pY`ucWl A^k -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~:' 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. U.S. Army spokesperson Valerie Mongello stressed this point to American Military News, noting, Both the Department of Defense and the Army have long-standing policies encouraging Soldiers to participate in the democratic process. 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. "He was an honors student, an athlete, a model citizen who volunteered in the community," recalled Altmire, a Democrat. 2023 by the Institute for Public Affairs (EIN: 94-2889692). He studied political theory, radicalized, and eventually turned to socialism. There were no red flags of any kind.. The saga of the commie West Point graduate took a rather strange twist yesterday when the officer who achieved a degree of fame for his scorching sworn statement about then-Cadet Spenser, with an 's,' Rapone's epic insubordination and disrespect, Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Robert Heffington released a letter calling into question what is actually being instilled in young men and women .