Would a Cadet at USMA have to payback if he/she admitted allegiance to the Communist Party?

2017-10-08T18:45:25-04:00

."Report: West Point Professor Found Communist Officer’s Social Media Posts ‘Extremely Disturbing’"
http://taskandpurpose.com/spenser-rapone-social-media-professor/

QUESTIONS:
1. Would a Cadet at USMA have to payback if he/she admitted allegiance to the Communist Party?
1a. Would the be required to pay back their education cost, or is there no way for US Gov to recoup the cost?
1b. If he has graduated, will he have to pay back his cost of education?
2. Clearly, his security clearance access would be withdrawn. He should not have access to classified while determining his ability to maintain a security clearance. Therefore, if he was still in USMA, would he have to pay back his education cost?

Report: West Point Professor Found Communist Officer's Social Media Posts 'Extremely Disturbing'

Lt. Rapone is currently under investigation by post officials.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2017 6:46 PM

2017-10-08T18:46:09-04:00

Hell no

Response by CPT John Sheridan made Oct 8 at 2017 9:17 PM

2017-10-08T21:17:23-04:00

Service academy cadets/midshipmen who voluntarily leave after starting their third year have the option of paying back or enlisting. The knucklehead Lieutenant completed West Point and received a commission, so probably not. If his behavior runs afoul of UCMJ, he can be penalized and potentially lose his commission, but his thoughts are his own.

Membership in a political party is not illegal. In the articles I read, I don't recall any mention of party membership. Just expression of some odd views. Odd in that it seems extraordinarily unusual for his chosen profession. In 1967, the Supreme Court struck down laws that made it illegal for members of political parties to be denied public sector employment, the right to vote, holding office, etc. It was aimed at laws making Communist Party membership illegal.

Holding political views and advocating the overthrow of the government are two different things. He published an article, so I think that it would be a stretch to call it subversive. It's not political activity. Federal law defines that as supporting a candidate for office or political party in an election. Reasons to pull a security clearance can be pretty subjective. The question to ask is does he present a security risk.

I think the guy is an idiot. I think expressing his views is unlikely to earn the favor of his peers and superiors, so he's probably not going to have a long career.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2017 3:06 AM

2017-10-09T03:06:12-04:00

No repayment. His mental health, ability to function as an officer, ability to lead troops, and security clearance need to be re-evaluated. We have harsh assignments for officers who need reeducation and reformation of disordered thought processes and behavior. Guarding prisoners in Fort Leavenworth, Camp X-Ray Guantanamo - similar assignments. Warmest Regards, Sandy

Response by MAJ John Douglas made Oct 9 at 2017 11:40 AM

2017-10-09T11:40:54-04:00

How did this guy get commissioned in the first place? Its an indictment on West Point and the modern Army that the social engineers are still running the show and any left wing idea is acceptable. Yes he should have to repay his education costs and yes he should be dismissed from the Army and yes he should be brought up on charges under Art 134, UCMJ.

Response by SPC Robert Coventry made Oct 9 at 2017 11:45 AM

2017-10-09T11:45:20-04:00

I think if you resign or have views and/or opinions that are in direct conflict or are a direct contradiction of the values of the Army you should have to pay back the money. If you have allegiances to any party affiliation that is not within the scope of the two party system (Republican or Democratic) we have in the US then you need to pay back the $ 200 to $ 300 thousand taxpayers dollar value of your education that you were given and the $ 7,200 per year in pay. If he cant pay back his only option is to stay in the Army, causing a big problem; do we want a 2nd Lieutenant leading our troops that is a communist, or do we just bounce him out? I think we investigate what lead him down this dark path and how do we stop other cadets from following this misguided youth. I know there are cadets trying to leave West Point because of religious reasons, they knew the religious component of West Point before they attended and should have to repay also.

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Oct 9 at 2017 12:34 PM

2017-10-09T12:34:25-04:00

I do not understand how he could stay in USMA West Point could stay in for 6 more months after leadership knew of his attitude. I can not remember if there is a 902d CI office at West Point. It should be a quiet one, and I could understand closing that....seems like it would have been smart in budget cutting time....but when you get people like this...might need some work...

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Oct 11 at 2017 10:11 AM

2017-10-11T10:11:26-04:00

After commissioning they are subject to UCMJ and separation procedures just like the LTC that stole from unit funds or the LT that sexually harassed the unit driver...
Those in Mil schooling be it ROTC or a service school that fail to commission but were contractually obligated, can be required to fulfill their contract as an enlisted person.
I saw that done once in my career .. when I was a DS.
Part of a new platoon inception and integration was a filling out of personal data card and getting to know them a bit.. like what is your MOS.. I had an older male recruit that insisted he did not have an MOS, it would be assigned to him after basic..... That made no sense to me at the time..
Turns out he was a 4 year scholarship receiving tuba player that finished collage and got his degree and but refused to commission, so he was ordered to report for duty, where he would go though basic and an AIT yet to be determined and serve his 6 years of obligated service as an enlisted person achieving the the rank no higher then E4

Response by SP5 Lori Pong made Oct 11 at 2017 12:07 PM

2017-10-11T12:07:24-04:00

Absolutely, payback comparable tuition (plus room and board), payback any salary and benefits. The regulations instituted by the US Army apply and every cadet should know the basic rules even if they can't cite regulations. Knowingly enrolling in the academy and then professing allegiance to the communist party is fraud.

Response by MAJ John Douglas made Jun 10 at 2019 9:42 AM

2019-06-10T09:42:15-04:00

I wish they would make him pay back what was spent on his education but pure political correctness throughout the academy allowed him to move to and beyond commissioning. This was Obama's military that we still have not recovered from.