Prince Harry current events 17: 17 May - 12 June 2007

[Elspeth]

Welcome to part 17 of the thread to discuss Prince Harry's current events.

The old thread is here:

http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...7-a-12562.html

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by Roslyn

What other specialty fields within the army are realistic options for Harry? Seems to me that some of those mentioned by Empress would require tertiary qualifications which Harry does not possess and is unlikely to acquire.

The trouble is that Harry has been trained as a combat soldier and whatever he wants to do now, means retraining. He could of course stay in the B&R's and retrain for the ceremonial arm. He could, again with extra training, become an instructor. One thing I very much doubt he will become is a desk jockey.

The problem Harry faces (one of many) is that as an instructor, unless you have been on active service, others have difficulty respecting what you are telling them. The army has tried over the past few years to get away from the 'hooray henry' officer image and has once again damaged it's own image. I and many in the military (IMO) blame the media for this debacle!

While many people with family serving in Iraq are breathing a sigh of relief, that the bullet magnet will not be near their relative, twice as many are saying 'Oh I see, it's OK for my son/daughter/husband/wife/father/mother to put their life on the line, but the ******* royal family, bunch of scroungers, are too good to risk their lives!

Is Prince Harry's army career in tatters over Iraq?

The military career of Prince Harry, third in line to the throne, could be left in tatters now commanders have decided it is too dangerous to post him to Iraq
The decision provoked a backlash from parents whose sons have been killed in combat there and defence analysts said it would now be difficult for the 22-year-old prince to carve out a future as an army officer

Is Prince Harry's army career in tatters over Iraq? - Yahoo! News UK

[Idriel]

Originally Posted by Skydragon

I and many in the military (IMO) blame the media for this debacle!

I completely agree.
The intense speculation has forced Army officials to come out, first announcing that Harry was to be sent out, which made them appear like amateur when they reconsidered their position.
As if it's the first time in the history of the military that a strategy is rethought.

Also, even though the situation is eventually wise and there are many other things Harry could be doing, I am extremely worried about him now.
He is an unstable and emotional character. I am certain he feels humiliated and betrayed right now. Not to add useless. At least, Iraq has been a focus and challenge to look forward to for him. I am now afraid his behavior will become more erratic now (and it's not like he is a model of self control as it is).
I expect more drunken brawls and general stupid behavior.
I hope for his sake that they send him in another conflict zone ASAP, and don't let us know about it until he is settled there, or possibly already back home. Otherwise, I fear if he is left in England to drown his sorrow, hell might break loose.

[Avalon]

Originally Posted by Skydragon

... While many people with family serving in Iraq are breathing a sigh of relief, that the bullet magnet will not be near their relative, twice as many are saying 'Oh I see, it's OK for my son/daughter/husband/wife/father/mother to put their life on the line, but the ******* royal family, bunch of scroungers, are too good to risk their lives!

I understand the feelings of the relatives of those in the army - their sons/daughters are more precious for them then all the kings, Queen, Princes and Princesses put together.
But I think it's utterly unfair to blame the RF (especially Prince Harry) and even the Army for this decision - they didn't have much choice, did they? It's not about Harry's safety or his life's value, it's about the safety of the other people and also best interests to the country (it would be poor service if he got caught).

Personally I blame the Media and the entire fuss they created around Harry's deployment. They gave out too many details (and would give more, should he be deployed) and they created quite a good advertising for the insurgents.

[Jo of Palatine]

Originally Posted by Avalon

Personally I blame the Media and the entire fuss they created around Harry's deployment. They gave out too many details (and would give more, should he be deployed) and they created quite a good advertising for the insurgents.

I wouldn't wonder if Harry is already in Iraq and serving in another regiment in another region... Maybe they try to cover his being in Iraq this way for as long as possible and then send him back home because it turned out to be too dangerous for him and his fellow soldiers... Just an idea...

I personally find it suspicious that we saw him in public at this parade and directly afterwards the media is informed that he is not to serve in Iraq - but we'll just have to wait and see when the next pics of him are shot somewhere in the UK.

BTW - for close to fifty years after WWII no German officer or soldier did attend any service outside the FRG or any active combat service but I dare say noone doubts that the German Bundeswehr is capable of defending their homecountry. So experience in active service is not necessary for a soldier to be considered a good one. IMHO.

[cowarth]

I wouldn't wonder if Harry is already in Iraq and serving in another regiment in another region... Maybe they try to cover his being in Iraq this way for as long as possible and then send him back home because it turned out to be too dangerous for him and his fellow soldiers... Just an idea...

I think this scenario is HIGHLY unlikely since the top general said he was not going to Iraq.

[sashajones]

The decision to not allow Prince Harry to fight in Iraq is a good one. He would probably be a target as well as those under his command. I also think the ultimate decision came from the Queen. JMO.

[cowarth]

The Queen has NO SAY in military affairs.

[Roslyn]

Originally Posted by Avalon

Personally I blame the Media and the entire fuss they created around Harry's deployment. They gave out too many details (and would give more, should he be deployed) and they created quite a good advertising for the insurgents.

I think the obsessive interest of the media should have been well known to TPTB and anticipated by them. They are all plainly idiots - both the PTB and the media - IMO. The media for not knowing or being indifferent to the likely consequences of the publicity they provided, and the PTB for stringing Harry along for so long believing it was possible for him to be a soldier when they would or should have known it was impossible.

These insurgents should not be under-estimated. They would have worked out where Harry was without the assistance of the western media.

Harry is the loser in all of this, and I really feel for him.

[MARG]

Originally Posted by Skydragon

The problem Harry faces (one of many) is that as an instructor, unless you have been on active service, others have difficulty respecting what you are telling them. The army has tried over the past few years to get away from the 'hooray henry' officer image and has once again damaged it's own image.

Very true, however, that's not going to stop some MoD Mensa candidate coming up with some really "useful" but totally humiliating and soul destroying way the "Harry" situation can be resolved!

Originally Posted by Skydragon

While many people with family serving in Iraq are breathing a sigh of relief, that the bullet magnet will not be near their relative, twice as many are saying 'Oh I see, it's OK for my son/daughter/husband/wife/father/mother to put their life on the line, but the ******* royal family, bunch of scroungers, are too good to risk their lives!

Totally predictable situation which is already happening!

Originally Posted by Skydragon

Is Prince Harry's army career in tatters over Iraq?

The military career of Prince Harry, third in line to the throne, could be left in tatters now commanders have decided it is too dangerous to post him to Iraq
The decision provoked a backlash from parents whose sons have been killed in combat there and defence analysts said it would now be difficult for the 22-year-old prince to carve out a future as an army officer.

Also totally predictable. Is there any way they MoD could possible have made a worse hash of this?

Is Prince Harry's army career in tatters over Iraq? - Yahoo! News UK[/quote]Say's it all.

Originally Posted by Skydragon

I and many in the military (IMO) blame the media for this debacle!

Explains it all!

[Lady Bluffton]

Sorry to say it, but I think Harry will be resigning his commission and looking for a civilian career.

[Elspeth]

Unfortunately there isn't much good precedent for senior royals to have civilian careers. I would have said that, knowing that the Iraq war was under way when Harry first entered Sandhurst and knowing that it was still going to be under way when he left, his advisors might have suggested that it'd have been better for him to join the Navy, where they seem to be more involved in conventional warfare. But the hostage situation with Iran an the British sailors a few weeks ago just goes to show that there'd have been risks there too. Just imagine the capital the Iranians could have made from having Harry as part of a group of hostages.

[HRH Kerry]

Originally Posted by Elspeth

...Just imagine the capital the Iranians could have made from having Harry as part of a group of hostages.

I cringe at the thought. I commend the prince for wanting to serve but today's war and army isn't the same as when his dad and uncles started their careers. We're all fighting a global war on terrorism and anyone can be a target . Now, besides my relatives, who would be impacted by my death if I was caught up in the gunfire serving my country? There are many out there wanting to kill any American but its an bigger statement to set your stakes for a British prince in line to the thrown. I for one would want Harry to continue with his career but just not in Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, etc. But is that at all possible?

Was it necessary to report that Harry was to deploy to the region?

[Elspeth]

I'm sure it wasn't necessary, but the press were going to find out, and they could have made all sorts of capital about why the decision had been kept secret. Unfortunately, it's better for the press if Harry's whereabouts are known and if he is actually captured and held hostage than if he undergoes a low-key and uneventful tour of duty. And these days many elements of the press don't seem to have too many finer feelings about manipulating things to their advantage.

[HRH Kerry]

You will go no agruments from me on the press. Thanks for the reply Elspeth.

[kpusa1981]

Harry's new war role: looking after the injured | the Daily Mail

He will now join his brother William in D Squadron of the Blues and Royals, a holding unit destined never to go to war. The squadron, which has far fewer men than his original A squadron, is made up of injured soldiers unfit to serve or those preparing to leave the regiment.

Is this true about D Squadron being only for injured soliders unfit to serve and those preparing to leave the regimant ,Sydragon?

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by kpusa1981

Harry's new war role: looking after the injured | the Daily Mail
Is this true about D Squadron being only for injured soliders unfit to serve and those preparing to leave the regimant ,Sydragon?

Yes, Squadron D is made up of injured soldiers and those destined to leave during the tour. I understand the Mail didn't ask the permission of the posters on arrse or egoat if they could use their posts.