Prince Harry current events 11: August-November 2006 - Page 5

MARG · #81 10-09-2006, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpusa1981

In combat the officers do not wear rank on their unifroms in the war terrorism it would be smartest if no one wears rank on their unifroms.

From newsreel footage from Afghanistan and Iraq I think a mother would be hard pressed to recognise her own son in desert DPM's and helmet!
Maybe they think he'd put a royal flag on his vehicle.

As for serving behind the scenes, while it is just as important it is not what Harry signed up for, or specifically trained for.

Avalon · #82 10-09-2006, 09:55 AM

The attacks might become more freguent, regardless whether they would or would not know exactly where Prince Harry serves.

I am really sorry he isn't allowed to go to war, hope it will not break him down, but I can understand the reasons behind it. It's not that his life is more valuable then any other soldier's life, quite the contrary: the lives of all soldiers is too valuable too add additional risk.

Avalon · #83 10-09-2006, 11:29 AM

Prince Harry's anger as Army chiefs push for war zone ban

An angry and embarrassed Prince Harry was last night considering quitting the Army after commanders banned him from serving on the front line in Afghanistan.
He is furious at the prospect of being so publicly humiliated with his reputation as a soldier destroyed before his career has really begun.

Royal Fan · #84 10-09-2006, 03:23 PM

I Really hope he stays!

Skydragon · #85 10-09-2006, 04:32 PM

Half of me hopes he gets his wish to serve with his unit, half of me wouldn't want any of my sons or daughter anywhere near the base he is stationed at.

It will be a tough call for the ptb but, if he doesn't go, it sends a very bad message to every other member of the armed forces or his/her parents that they are expendible. The old cannon fodder syndrome.

kpusa1981 · #86 10-09-2006, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skydragon

Half of me hopes he gets his wish to serve with his unit, half of me wouldn't want any of my sons or daughter anywhere near the base he is stationed at.

It will be a tough call for the ptb but, if he doesn't go, it sends a very bad message to every other member of the armed forces or his/her parents that they are expendible. The old cannon fodder syndrome.

Could the MoD give and all those in his unit a code names? When they are all in ther unifroms and helmats how are you going be able to tell who Harry is? Could the reason they are saying this to be to hide the fact that they will deploy him with his unit?

Skydragon · #87 10-09-2006, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpusa1981

Could the MoD give and all those in his unit a code names? When they are all in ther unifroms and helmats how are you going be able to tell who Harry is? Could the reason they are saying this to be to hide the fact that they will deploy him with his unit?

Unfortunately the press would be unable to resist the temptation to publish every little detail of his units deployment. Then there are the soldiers in his unit who are unable to keep their mouths shut and chat on unsecured phones or tell a friend.
I don't think the only worry for the ptb is a kidnap, they also have to take into consideration the extra danger they think he might bring to the troops out there.

This should all have been thought out before, however, the forces are always good training for life in the real world (well, sort of for officers).

HRH Kimetha · #88 10-09-2006, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skydragon

Half of me hopes he gets his wish to serve with his unit, half of me wouldn't want any of my sons or daughter anywhere near the base he is stationed at.

It will be a tough call for the ptb but, if he doesn't go, it sends a very bad message to every other member of the armed forces or his/her parents that they are expendible. The old cannon fodder syndrome.

So true, Skydragon. I agree on both points. However, there has always been two classes--those who are expendable and those who aren't and that's been like that down through the ages. Unfortunately and there again, fortunately for Harry he falls into the latter. He isn't expendable, but I think the real issue is will his being anywhere there is danger, will the enemy target that area. If I was a mother with a son or daughter anywhere near the prince, I would want my child to be reassigned because of the extra hazard of having the prince that may be targeted, thus my child's hazard has now increased. So, yes it is a tough call and the message is plain...

Here's also another take on the decision that is interesting. This is taken from an article out of Dubai:

http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Society/10073479.html

Lillia · #89 10-09-2006, 07:32 PM

Poor Harry. He should be thankful that he's in the group that is considered 'valuable' and then he should think of another way to prove himself, since the decision has been made that he will not be allowed to go experience a real live war first-hand as would be the fate of those other fellows. I'm certain there are other ways Harry can make himself useful, right?

I'm just not sure that Harry clearly understands the clear tragedy of the whole situation.

I'd guess he's been told things, probably seen some things in the news and whatever but I don't think that he has the true grit for it. He's too sheltered, and I think he'd be in way over his head. He'd never even be allowed to do anything but basically file papers and make reports anyway. I have to say honestly I don't feel sorry for him. I'm sure he'll get over it in time.

If he feels he simply must go to Afganistan, then he can have the BRF sponsor him on a short visit to cheer up the troops or something.

MARG · #90 10-10-2006, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lillia

Poor Harry.

Sarcasm really is the lowest form of wit!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lillia

He should be thankful that he's in the group that is considered 'valuable' . I'm certain there are other ways Harry can make himself useful, right?

On a man-to-man level being considered valuable clearly means that the rest of his battalion is not. What an insult to every serving soldier and every soldiers family. Are they just cannon fodder?

Quote:

Originally Posted by lillia

I'm just not sure that Harry clearly understands the clear tragedy of the whole situation.I'd guess he's been told things, probably seen some things in the news and whatever but I don't think that he has the true grit for it. He's too sheltered, and I think he'd be in way over his head. He'd never even be allowed to do anything but basically file papers and make reports anyway.

If you believe that Prince Harry could have completed Sandhurst and ongoing specialist training and not only fail to understand, but lack the true grit required to do the job then you grossly underestimate the military machine. To pass him at any stage when he was less fit than others would have exposed the military to accusations of favoritism and cronnyism. His peers would have made sure the news was well and truely leaked! He wasn't and they didn't.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lillia

I have to say honestly I don't feel sorry for him. I'm sure he'll get over it in time. If he feels he simply must go to Afganistan, then he can have the BRF sponsor him on a short visit to cheer up the troops or something.

He may very well get over it in time but to treat this on a par with not getting the polo pony of his choice is petty and mean spirited. And yes I'm sure his former fellow officers and men would turn out in droves to see him do a cancan or some such other meaningful item of entertainment.

These decisions were supposedly made before he joined the Army. For heavens sake, what is an army for. Here we have a young man who seems ideally suited to his chosen career. That he is a Royal Prince who is willing to lay his life on the line with his men makes him the best poster-boy the military has had in years. Warfare is what it is all about and Prince Harry stated clearly that this was a career choice, not unlike his Uncle Andrew. (Are not journalists required to be accredited in the theatre of war? We know they were in the Falklands campaign, how much control does the Military have over these present theatres of war?)

We didn't hear any reports of removing him from his ship in case the Argentinians concentrated fire on it in order to kill the 3rd in line during the Falklands campaign. That would have been disasterous for morale. Somehow I think that the message this decision is sending is exactly that.

Prince Harry seems almost doomed to find no other career. Obviously the military is no longer an option. Commerce = Cronnyism as his Uncle Edward found to his dismay. There really is no 'real' job for a Prince who is only a spare!

Polo and partying are starting to look like his best bet. And, lets not forget, we could all follow his sartorial exploits with bated breath. (Him and Paris Hilton both!)

Skydragon · #91 10-10-2006, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lillia

Poor Harry. He should be thankful that he's in the group that is considered 'valuable' and then he should think of another way to prove himself, since the decision has been made that he will not be allowed to go experience a real live war first-hand as would be the fate of those other fellows.

Yes indeed poor Harry, however your comments show a lack of understanding on your part. He has already proved himself more than most young men with his commitment to his training, no hanging about on street corners for this young man. While it is true that he doesn't know what fighting in a war is like, nobody does until you are involved, he (unlike most members here) will have seen and heard the horrific, graphic recordings of battles and the aftermath, or did you think that they only have news articles to inform them.

No, the decision has not yet been made, it is being talked about by the army chiefs and all concerned parties and the media are not privy to these talks.

So indeed poor Harry, or do his feelings not count because of who he is?

Avalon · #92 10-10-2006, 12:59 PM

Partying Prince's vodka shots

Party-mad Prince Harry knocked back Strawberry and Vanilla vodka shots as he celebrated the end of a tough military training course.
The royal rebel and 28 mates started the evening with a meal at a posh restaurant before hitting the booze at a rock pub.

HAPPY AS HARRY

Prince Harry knocked back lager and vodka shots as he celebrated the end of a gruelling military training course with a huge group of pals.
The fun-loving royal and his 28-strong entourage started with a restaurant meal before moving on to a rock pub then a nightclub.

MARG · #93 10-10-2006, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avalon

Partying Prince's vodka shots & HAPPY AS HARRY

Gee it only took three days for these journalists to catch up with this story.:whistling

Avalon · #94 10-10-2006, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MARG

Gee it only took three days for these journalists to catch up with this story.:whistling

At least they did catch up at the end...

HRH Kimetha · #95 10-10-2006, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skydragon

Yes indeed poor Harry, however your comments show a lack of understanding on your part. He has already proved himself more than most young men with his commitment to his training, no hanging about on street corners for this young man. While it is true that he doesn't know what fighting in a war is like, nobody does until you are involved, he (unlike most members here) will have seen and heard the horrific, graphic recordings of battles and the aftermath, or did you think that they only have news articles to inform them.

No, the decision has not yet been made, it is being talked about by the army chiefs and all concerned parties and the media are not privy to these talks.

So indeed poor Harry, or do his feelings not count because of who he is?

Thanks, Skydragon. Harry's talent as a soldier will surely be missed on the frontline due to his enthusiasm and courage. Hopefully, he will come out of this setback and continue to be successful with those who will also be held back from facing the front line, albiet not because of the same reason.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marge

If you believe that Prince Harry could have completed Sandhurst and ongoing specialist training and not only fail to understand, but lack the true grit required to do the job then you grossly underestimate the military machine.

I have always felt myself when the press first reported that Harry was due to go to Sandhurst that he was born into the role. However, many in the press didn't believe he would even finish. To me Harry has always shown to me he was a fighter and not necessarily an academic businessman. He's a military man and hopefully will assist behind the scenes. The real surprise is William as he didn't seem to be as athletic as Harry. But, after going through Sandhurst during the winter season and having to march in rain and snow, he diffently turned my head. But, this is about Harry. And, Harry if the true decision is to keep you from the frontline to protect you and/or your men, at least hold your head high and show the soldier you really are (of course, after you sock a reporter in the eye should they taunt you. (but please don't!)).

Oppie · #96 10-10-2006, 06:22 PM

Do you think there is a chance that he would be sent somewhere else ? I remember at some point there was a suggestion that William would go to Kosovo. Is there anywhere else that they could send him that is a little less dangerous than Afgainistan and Iraq. Peacekeeping perhaps ?

Lillia · #97 10-10-2006, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skydragon

Yes indeed poor Harry, however your comments show a lack of understanding on your part. He has already proved himself more than most young men with his commitment to his training, no hanging about on street corners for this young man. While it is true that he doesn't know what fighting in a war is like, nobody does until you are involved, he (unlike most members here) will have seen and heard the horrific, graphic recordings of battles and the aftermath, or did you think that they only have news articles to inform them.

No, the decision has not yet been made, it is being talked about by the army chiefs and all concerned parties and the media are not privy to these talks.

So indeed poor Harry, or do his feelings not count because of who he is?

I would guess he has gotten over the sadness of not being able to go do battle in Afganistan. But then again, may he has not.

Sure, I've never said that he did not have any feelings, and I am sure he is actually quite upset and very deeply hurt that he is not able to go forward into Afganistan and fight in the war with the other soldiers. I do understand it all too well. But unfortunately, dodging gunfire, avoiding landmines and battling insurgencies seems to be a task that someone else will have to do. And unfortunately it is really too bad that Harry will not have his own cache of war stories to tell (so far).

And yes, he is probably the valiant, dashing, brave, enthusiastic and courageoeous soldier. I have no doubt that he is all of those things. And the most intelligent of all, yes, probabl