A spokeswoman for the 10th Mountain Division confirmed that Rapone had started Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia near Columbus in February 2017 but did not complete the course. Rainmixing with snow overnight. 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? Latest. The Bush administration saw this football player and this guy who looked like G.I. I started to think, If Iwere aguy in Afghanistan, how would Ifeel about this? Ithink its no secret that many people in America would take great umbrage if someone was walking through their homes. Parents Allowed to Collect Sperm From Son Killed Skiing 'Commie Cadet' Spenser Rapone Discharged From U.S. Army West Point Marries First Active-Duty, Same-Sex Couple Compared to the 294 women. Theyre not designed to achieve any sort ofobjective. Right: Army Private First Class Spenser Rapone receiving his "Ranger Scrol" patch after completing Ranger Assessment and Selection Program in 2011. . But yet theyre still an abstraction and not not allowed to have individualopinions. 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". There are a lot of veterans both active duty and not that feel like I do.. endobj <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> Take the story of Gas Turbine Systems Technician 3rd Class Peter Mims an E-4 whose disappearance sparked a massive man overboard search last year. No political movement can be healthy unless it has its own press to inform it, educate it and orient it. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. There is no better way to support this workand no better time to join. He is the son of Peter Pauling and Barbara W. Tuchman. This page was last edited on 28 August 2021, at 22:54. In my own unit, Isaw no commitment to learning about the Afghan people or trying to understand them or their culture. ", 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. He lost his career for speaking truth to power. "He was an honors student, an athlete, a model citizen who volunteered in the community," recalled Altmire, a Democrat. 2?pe5 uxk+qeO/jiez,&V%?`L"[A aiJeyr~]Jx$r!6'bw Spenser Rapone was a US Army officer and Democratic Socialists of America member. #AntiFa, he wrote, according to a picture obtained before he took down his account. He said that we need to do something about this Rapone guy. About 37 percent of the class of 2023 were minorities, equivalent to 443 people, according to the military academy. 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. In another, he raises his fist and flips his cap to reveal the message: "Communism will win." The Army Times reports in 2018: Chance of precip 90%. Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com. Can you describe the backlash you experienced afterthat? West Point's newest class has increased minority representation and the percentage of female new cadets remained consistent with previous years. 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. Spenser is my son and I love him dearly however I do not like nor condone his politics, his actions or behavior. On Sunday, Rapone posted a picture of himself in his West Point uniform holding a sign that said, Communism will win tucked under his cover, or hat, raising a clenched left fist. 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. As a Sustainer, you'll never have to worry about renewal notices, or fundraising appeals. 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. Use the 'Report' link on He ultimately resigned his commission, and was separated from the Army in June 2018 with an Other Than Honorable discharge.. Menu. Follow him on Twitter: @punkproletarian. Spenser Rapone was like a character who stepped out of a Bruce Springsteen song. Idont want people saying that because they are volunteers, theres no room for resisting. Upon completion of Cadet Basic Training, scheduled for August 17, they'll be accepted into the Corps of Cadets. When those three elements combine, thats what makes it sodifficult. In total, this signified about a four percent increase in minority enrollment, equal to about 43 people, compared to the previous year. They represent our nation's promise for the future," Deborah McDonald, director of admissions, said in a statement. Im amember of the DSA, so Iwant to get involved with socialist politics and affect some change. On January 5, 2015, he posted a Slate.com article calling for the abolishment of West Point. His social media accounts were at one point set to private after his photos went viral. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Several years ago, I met Spenser Rapone when he was a high school student seeking an appointment to West Point, Altmire said. There are a lot of veterans both active duty and not that feel like I do.". He got out on the other side thought and became an anti-war activist and asocialist. 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. Despite his growing disillusionment about the military, he applied and got in. Quite the contrary. First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. 51 In the simplest of terms, Ifelt like we were the big bully and the purveyor of violence. 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. Both the United States Military Academy and his current command, the 10th Mountain Division, launched investigations into his conduct. WvLUTTTkJX5SK's?:aBe".0X~m41aT`Z""%&QR6&; She covers operations, policy, personnel, leadership and other issues affecting service members. 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 ", 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. As of Friday, his account was public again. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporters byline and their DCNF affiliation. You have permission to edit this article. Its interesting that you say that because, really, all the whole pregame stuff at games is arecent phenomenon. He wanted to enlist and do his time. New room decor until its flying proudly in the streets. Its the worst administrative discharge. Since the class of 2012, the percentage of women entering West Point increased by about 10 percent, according to data on class characteristics. 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~:' They dont care about veterans outside of serving their politics for aparticular right-wing vision. Or, Icould submit an unconditional resignation and they can give me whatever discharge they want. "I figured maybe I could change things from inside.". 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.. He was nominated out of high school by then-U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire in 2010. 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. 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. Iread anumber of his books and he helped me understand my experience. 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. I am very disappointed in the direction he has chosen and as his father it greatly saddens me, Richard L. Rapone posted on his Facebook page, adding: As a young man, Spenser personified patriotism and in high school was a member of the Civil Air Patrol. At that point, again, Iwanted nothing to do with the military because Ifind their rule morally reprehensible and ethically unsound, so Isubmitted my resignation. 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. 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. When last we heard from communist adherent and fan of murderous totalitarian Che Guevara Spenser Rapone, he was drummed out of the service under other-than-honorable conditions for his "protest" at his West Point Graduation. 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. Hes also tweeted out that hell happily dance on GOP Sen. John McCains grave. He also stated publicly that Vice President Mike Pence is a fucking medieval, cold-blooded killer.. The so-called Commie Cadet was anything but acommunist at the start of his militarycareer. On Monday, Rapone tweeted another picture of himself in his West Point uniform, exposing a Che Guevara T-shirt underneath with the caption In case there was any lingering doubt, hasta la victoria siempre.. Those inquires are finished, the Army said in a statement Tuesday but that is all they would say. Template:TOCnestleft Spenser Rapone was a US Army officer and Democratic Socialists of America member. 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. Similar to me, after he did his training and found himself overseas, he realized the harsh reality of what the American military was and formed his own opinions. 2023 by the Institute for Public Affairs (EIN: 94-2889692). It strikes me how much, as aculture, weve praised troops since 9/11. Are walking blood banks coming to a field hospital near you? or anything. Iwasnt quite asocialist yet, but Iknew Iwas against the war. On the other hand, many people reached out and showed me support. that is degrading to another person. He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 and was assigned as an assistant machine gunner in Khost Province. New cadets hold and read booklets called 'Cadet Knowledge' during Reception Day at the United States Military Academy at West Point, June 27, 2016, in West Point, New York. 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). %PDF-1.7 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. During the interview, he expressed patriotism and looked just like a top-notch candidate. Richard L. Rapone explained that Spenser tried to join West Point straight out of high school but was not accepted. He completed Air Assault School and then applied successfully to West Point.[2]. 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 Rapones military commission after seeing this photo, he wrote. Deciding he could no longer stomach the immorality of US imperialism, he spoke out against the reprehensible actions of the military in September 2017. 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. Its a call for action beyond the scope of the US colonial state. Several years ago, I met Spenser Rapone when he was a high school student seeking an appointment to West Point, Altmire said. 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. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. accounts, the history behind an article. Yes, Spenser "with an s" Rapone is now a Ph.D. candidate at that hotbed of communism, University of Texas-Austin. 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. Check out the details here. S5: Episode 31 - Mike Prysner & Spenser Rapone (Podcast Episode 2018) Parents Guide and Certifications from around the world. 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 Altmire support 9 Socialist Punk Caucus 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.. 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.

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