Over the weekend, a picture of a West Point graduate holding his cover with the words “Communism Will Win” written on the inside while dressed in his graduating uniform exploded on social media. As IJR previously reported, the caption on the photo read “#VeteransForKaepernick.”
When people questioned whether it was real or if he really meant it, Spenser Rapone — the officer in question — posted a second picture that shows him wearing a Che Guevara T-shirt underneath his West Point uniform.
Rapone describes himself as an Army infantry officer on his Medium profile. Law Newz reported that he had earned the Combat Infantry Badge prior to his graduation.
Many were shocked to see blatant political statements being made while in uniform, which goes against military regulations.
On Tuesday, the military academy officially responded to the controversy.
“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,” West Point said in a statement. “Second Lieutenant Rapone's actions in no way reflect the values of the U.S. Military Academy or the U.S. Army.”
Read the full story on IJR.com