Posted on 10/07/2017 3:44:37 AM PDT by markomalley
A Fort Drum officer whose pro-communist and anti-Trump social media posts have spurred outrage and an Army investigation apparently raised concerns among his superiors in 2015 while studying at West Point.
In documents obtained by the Daily Caller, Lt. Col. Robert M. Heffington, a professor at West Point, said he found the social media posts by 2nd Lt. Spenser Rapone, then a cadet, “extremely disturbing.” He noted at the time that one of Rapone’s posts said “(Expletive) this country and its fake freedom,” and others praised communism, marxism and Karl Marx.
“I cannot reconcile the image of a first class cadet at West Point with the things he has posted online for the world to see,” the lieutenant colonel said in a sworn statement. “To me, these are red flags that cannot be ignored, and I fail to see how this individual can possibly graduate and become a commissioned officer in six months.”
Lt. Rapone is currently under investigation by post officials for his social media posts, including those made while wearing his West Point uniform. The posts were condemned by the academy.
Col. Heffington’s statement from November 2015 also said Rapone showed “extreme disrespect” to him when confronted about the volume of a conversation he had with a professor and refused corrections on standards like getting a haircut.
“His utter contempt for my rank and position as an Army officer was blatantly obvious and, to me, it indicates that CDT Rapone has a serious problem with military authority figures.”
He later said Rapone’s social media posts at best “reveal the philosophical infatuations of a precocious adolescent,” and at worst “a severe mental or psychological disorder” or values “at odds” with West Point and the Army.
“He may at some point grow out of this phase, but the Army does not have the luxury of allowing him the opportunity to sort out his beliefs while charged with the sacred duty of leading American Soldiers,” Col. Heffington said.
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” written into his West Point cadet hat.
Other online statements by the lieutenant criticized President Trump and members of his administration.
If taken to a court martial, Lt. Rapone could face confinement for violating multiple parts of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
This week, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio called for Lt. Rapone’s dismissal, a call backed by Rep. Elise M. Stefanik.
Agreed. Or maybe send him out to detect mines with a sledge hammer and steel rod.
I’ve followed this story since it first broke. It frightens me to realize this is true, that it’s happening, that it’s even POSSIBLE this young fool could get through West Point.
My great-grandfather is turning in his grave.
At no point in history has any government ever wanted its people to be defenseless for any good reason ~ nully's son
Nut-job Conspiracy Theory Ping!
To get onto The Nut-job Conspiracy Theory Ping List you must threaten to report me to the Mods if I don't add you to the list...
Having muslims around make a mockery of everything.
Someone needs to look at who admitted this freak in the first place. There had to be signs years ago.
There were those BLM with raised fists a while back. IIRC, nothing was done about them.
My only knowledge of military matters is from speaking with my father and oldest brother, both 30+ year veterans of the Canadian army (father was in WW2 and Korea, brother had stints in Cyprus, Bosnia, Germany and the CanadianAirborne). I always understood that a superior officer had the authority to issue immediate discipline to a subordinate, short of court martial. It appears this L.Col had his hands tied in doing anything to this insubordinate, treasonous punk and that his report died when it got to the desk of the L.Col’s superior officer.
Can you American military veterans please explain a bit about the current US military code of justice. Is it at the point where even a written reprimand has to go to the Joint Chiefs of Staff? Serious question. This baffles me.
Rapone fully reflects West Point. Nothing was done about him. A chain is no stronger than it’s weakest link. The day I saw this story I said we are in serious trouble if West Point knows of Rapone, and DID NOTHING. Rapone is not likely alone.
From what I read, the cadet while enlisted as a ranger was not espousing all the Marxist views on Facebook. So he had a good service record and got a nomination from a democrat...Figures.
Why he was allowed to continue with all the staff questioning his behavior is beyond me...
Such an outrage because he took a slot from a potential cadet—a deserving, loyal, patriotic individual willing to serve our country.
Who hired the professor?? That ought to be looked into!
Our tax dollars at work :(
May the commie officer get a blanket party if he steps foot off post from Drum.
Yes, he is at Drum from what I hear.
Wow!
Again, my question is how did this guy get to stay so long when multiple people knew his politics and he was in violation of even the most basic of codes—proper haircut, ...guess his ranger insignia really did work for him!!! UGH!
And then there are those brought in to teach other cultures and what not indoctrinating young skulls full of mush such as Reality Winner into following political /religious ideology that is anti US Constitution and anti US allies.
I don’t understand why this commie was allowed to graduate
He was an Army Ranger before entering West Point!
You have to wonder what happened to Lt. Col. Robert M. Heffington for his sworn statement about the bastard’s behavior and beliefs. Was he purged? Removed from his professorship at West Point? Reassigned to nowhere?
Yep.
Initially, he would have appeared to be the ideal candidate.
Appearances can be deceiving.
[ If taken to a court martial, Lt. Rapone could face confinement for violating multiple parts of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. ]
That’s what should happen.
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