Army officials condemn West Point grad for pro-Kaepernick tweets
The US Army has condemned the actions of a West Point grad and current infantry officer who has been posting pro-communism messages on social media as a show of support for Colin Kaepernick.
In one of his most recent posts, Second Lt. Spenser Rapone can be seen wearing a Che Guevara T-shirt under his military uniform.
In another, he holds up a fist and points his cap toward the camera — showing the words “Communism will win” scrawled on the inside.
“#VeteransForKaepernick,” Rapone wrote in the now-viral tweet, which was posted Sunday amid the NFL’s headline-grabbing national anthem protests.
The post prompted Army officials to open an investigation Tuesday after it sparked widespread outrage on social media.
“Hey @realDonaldTrump, can you pass this along to Secretary Mattis? He might want to know about open Communists in the ranks,” wrote one Twitter user.
“West Point cadets are under contract with the DoD,” another said in response. “This is a punishable offense under the UCMJ [Uniform Code of Military Justice]. Making political statements while in uniform.”
Army officials issued a statement Tuesday condemning Rapone’s actions.
“The U.S. Military Academy strives to develop leaders who internalize the academy’s motto of Duty, Honor, Country, and who live the Army values. Second Lieutenant Rapone’s actions in no way reflect the values of the U.S. Military Academy or the U.S. Army,” the statement said.
“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. Second Lieutenant Rapone’s chain of command is aware of his actions and is looking into the matter. The academy is prepared to assist the officer’s chain of command as required.”
After his photo supporting Kaepernick went viral, Rapone appeared to mock the ensuing outrage.
“In case there was any lingering doubt, hasta la victoria siempre,” Rapone tweeted Monday, attaching the photo showing the Guevara shirt. The latter Spanish phrase translates as “Ever onward to victory” and was a favorite of Guevara’s. It was also the title of a 1997 movie about Guevara’s life.
He 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.
“Let there be no doubt that we have unequivocal solidarity with and pride in Spenser. He’s an exceptional soldier,” the Twitter account, @DSAVeterans, wrote Tuesday.
The DSA’s Veterans Working Group, of which Rapone is a member, also offered support to him in a statement.
“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.
Rapone has displayed his pro-communism views in many different ways — posting selfies with “The Communist Manifesto” by Karl Marx and pictures of One World Trade Center with a red star on the top of its spire.
He has previously complained about the military reifying “capitalism/imperialism with a brutally hierarchical rank structure.”
“Was an 11B 2010-2012, and am an 11A now, and can say lifers, senior NCOs and field grades lust for war and conflict,” Rapone tweeted back in July. “They fetishize violence.”
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Now he has to learn that there is a time and place for it. Something many like him don't seem to understand.
Separate him as other than honorable and then present him with a bill for his tuition if he hasn't fulfilled his commitment. Let's see if he laughs then.
Buh bye, military career.
A stupid move on his part. All of that time and energy invested in what? I bet his parents are kicking his damn little ass!
Maybe they can get a really late term abortion.
More like he just got the finest education at one of the most highest institutions of learning on the planet.
Point blank the Army has NOTHING on this young man, the only thing I see them doing is getting him on is violations of the social media guidelines regarding service members. He wears a t-shirt on the INSIDE of his uniform regardless of what it says, it's not against military guidelines, he has words on the INSIDE of his cover, which once again is NOT against guidelines, and unless he OPENLY displays or makes political statements, He has not violated any guidelines! Point blank the military cannot dictate what you think and feel only what you do while your in uniform
You apparently didn't open the link.
"He wears a t-shirt on the INSIDE of his uniform regardless of what it says, it's not against military guidelines"
"he has words on the INSIDE of his cover, which once again is NOT against guidelines"
I would guess you have never been in the military? Because those two comments you made are 100% false.
And apparently you didn't read my comment.......because I distinctly said they could get him for violation of the social media policy, which nowadays could actually get him kicked out
Really? care to show me where it's specifically outlined in AR 670-1 regarding undershirts, as for headgear it specifically says it can bear no writing on the cover but I use to write inside my headgear all the time, mind you it was on the headliner and sweat guard, both removable items, and it was never ON the cover but there was still writing
Pull your head from it's liberal holster and open the link. Look at the PICTURES and the background of the pictures.
It's not only 670-1 that covers this. Read AR 25-10.
" I use to write inside my headgear all the time, mind you it was on the headliner and sweat guard, both removable items, and it was never ON the cover but there was still writing"
Yeah, a lot of people used to do it, it was not authorized, but people used to do it, because they could get away with it, not because they were authorized to do it, geezuz anyway... really?
No, they have plenty on him. Insubordination for one. His remarks about his superiors is enough to draw a court. You just don't do that crap in the military.
Just what we don't need, another person who could have been in a leadership position who seems to have an ideology that is contrary to the goals of this country.
As a military person, there are rules you must follow and you have voluntarily given up some of your 'rights' when you took the oath. Now he gets to pay the piper. He gets to express his views and the Army gets to express theirs as they outprocess him.
This is a "fail" on the part of West Point.
They failed to weed this guy out.
I think the weed wacker is fired up now though.