Posted on Oct 4, 2017
Senator wants communist West Point grad booted from the Army
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West Point Military Academy graduate who is an open communist sympathizer hopefully gets decommissioned, charged for the cost of the education he underwent, and perhaps charged with other crimes. 2ndLt Spenser Rapone exhibits views that discredit the military, are harmful to good order & discipline, and should prevent the holders of such views from service with the armed forces of the United States of America. LTC Stephen F. SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth LTC Stephen C. MSG Andrew White SP5 Dave (Shotgun) Shockley SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SGT Michael Thorin MSgt (Join to see) Maj Marty Hogan SN Greg Wright SPC Margaret Higgins SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SP5 Mark Kuzinski SPC Douglas Bolton COL Mikel J. Burroughs
Senator wants communist West Point grad booted from the Army
Posted from militarytimes.comPosted in these groups: 
United States Military Academy (USMA West Point)
Officer Candidate School (OCS) (Army)
United States Military Academy (USMA West Point) Officer Candidate School (OCS) (Army)
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 9
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Thanks SSgt Robert Marx for sharing the news about USMA Class of 2016 graduate Spenser Rapone who seems to be an avowed communist based on the pictures from his May 2016 graduation and his blog posts.
While I have sympathy for Florida Sen. Marco Rubio's opinion on this matter, to be honest I hope that 2nd Lt. Spenser Rapone will be charged under Section 134 of the UCMJ - frequently referred to as Conduct Unbecoming seems to be more appropriate IMHO
Section 134 UCMJ: "Though not specifically mentioned in this chapter, all disorders and neglects to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces, all conduct of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces, and crimes and offenses not capital, of which persons subject to this chapter may be guilty, shall be taken cognizance of by a general, special or summary court-martial, according to the nature and degree of the offense, and shall be punished at the discretion of that court."
http://www.ucmj.us/sub-chapter-10-punitive-articles/934-article-134-general-article
"Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is demanding West Point officials revoke the commission of an officer who posted photos of himself with pro-communist messages hidden under his graduation uniform, calling it an “extreme embarrassment” for the military.
In a letter to acting Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy Tuesday, the Republican senator also questioned whether service officials ignored signs of misconduct and potential insubordination during the cadet’s time at the U.S. Military Academy.
“It is extremely concerning that someone who so often expressed such hostile views towards the United States’ system of government was able to obtain a commission,” he wrote. “(His) revolutionary ideas were harbored long before he was commissioned as an Army second lieutenant. Were West Point administrators or faculty aware of his views and behavior?”
Photos of 2nd Lt. Spenser Rapone from the academy’s graduation in May 2016 surfaced in recent weeks, showing him posing with a Che Guevara t-shirt under his uniform and “communism will win” written under his cap."
While I have sympathy for Florida Sen. Marco Rubio's opinion on this matter, to be honest I hope that 2nd Lt. Spenser Rapone will be charged under Section 134 of the UCMJ - frequently referred to as Conduct Unbecoming seems to be more appropriate IMHO
Section 134 UCMJ: "Though not specifically mentioned in this chapter, all disorders and neglects to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces, all conduct of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces, and crimes and offenses not capital, of which persons subject to this chapter may be guilty, shall be taken cognizance of by a general, special or summary court-martial, according to the nature and degree of the offense, and shall be punished at the discretion of that court."
http://www.ucmj.us/sub-chapter-10-punitive-articles/934-article-134-general-article
"Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is demanding West Point officials revoke the commission of an officer who posted photos of himself with pro-communist messages hidden under his graduation uniform, calling it an “extreme embarrassment” for the military.
In a letter to acting Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy Tuesday, the Republican senator also questioned whether service officials ignored signs of misconduct and potential insubordination during the cadet’s time at the U.S. Military Academy.
“It is extremely concerning that someone who so often expressed such hostile views towards the United States’ system of government was able to obtain a commission,” he wrote. “(His) revolutionary ideas were harbored long before he was commissioned as an Army second lieutenant. Were West Point administrators or faculty aware of his views and behavior?”
Photos of 2nd Lt. Spenser Rapone from the academy’s graduation in May 2016 surfaced in recent weeks, showing him posing with a Che Guevara t-shirt under his uniform and “communism will win” written under his cap."
934. ARTICLE 134. GENERAL ARTICLE « UCMJ – United States Code of Military Justice
Though not specifically mentioned in this chapter, all disorders and neglects to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces, all conduct of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces, and crimes and offenses not capital, of which persons subject to this chapter may be guilty, shall be taken cognizance of by a general, special or summary court-martial, according to the nature and degree of the offense, and shall be...
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CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana
LTC Stephen F. - Noted Sir; I graduated from OCS. I was a Personnel Admin NCO prior to my commission.
I agree that a few graduating seniors try strange actions, but my question is should a single poor decision make talent unworthy or can such talent be given a second chance to rehab their one bad impulsive choice; humans make mistakes?
I agree that a few graduating seniors try strange actions, but my question is should a single poor decision make talent unworthy or can such talent be given a second chance to rehab their one bad impulsive choice; humans make mistakes?
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CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana
SSgt Robert Marx - Possibly SSgt Marx; an investigation is appropriate, but in the meantime I suggest rehab for Rapone and perhaps even hold his graduation till his investigation is completed. If his past fails him in the inquiry then, he deserves Leavenworth or worse. Let's try and make Rapone a law abiding citizen in the meantime, I suggest.
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SSgt Robert Marx
CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana - Kindness and gracefulness is always preferred over the hard obstinacy of always punishing rule/law breakers to the full extent of the law. As a combat vet the officer is due a hard review by a general officer. I believe that if the officer's general attitude could be discerned by the presiding judge to be malleable perhaps a rehabilitation effort could be made. Some people are twisted and full of hate after undergoing emotionally draining events such as combat so 2ndLt Rapone should undergo a rigorous psychological regime to determine if his mental attitude appears to allow for him to reform and become a good officer. A good officer and any service member can hold any type of attitude or belief as long as they keep it to themselves during duty and perform all of their duties to the upmost of their abilities.
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Read some of this the other day- viewed the photos that were "viral". Thought- why would you join the military? Odd stance for someone that is going to serve and lead troops.
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SSgt Robert Marx
It is also odd for a man who went through all of the rigorous training at the Academy to place it in jeopardy by public display of errant views. Perhaps 2ndLt is dumb as a box of rocks?
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