If he is not going to perform a full role (whatever that means) then what happens to the soldiers in his platoon?

Isn't it a bit ridiculous to enlist a soldier who is obviously so much of a target that he will never be of use?

(I suppose in reality they don;t really know what else to do with him)>

Indeed, I don`t really get the idea of putting obvious security risks in the forces.
The whole platoon obviously become the prize propaganda target instantly.

Hmmm...(they don`t know what else to do with him...)

I have the answer. Entertainments Manager.
It Aint `alf Hot Marm.

He aint no soldier and never will be like Charles. They will not kill a man but they got medals for nothing.

If Harry did kill it be on the news and papers. My mate killed when he was in Afghanstan he didnt get a medal or nothing.

BIG FUCKING DEAL

Oh dear, he's damned if he does, and damned if he doesn't. I remember Prince Andrew in the Falklands putting himself in the line of fire, as a human decoy, to save the lives of his comrades. The Royals are raised to be leaders, and have a long history of military service.

We never get medals for killing people, Andrew. That's just a consequence of war and nothing to be proud of. It's acts of bravery or length of service which earn medals.

If Harry does go, I'm sure he'll do us all proud. It's certainly not for us who sit safely at home to criticise the bravery of those who serve.

The Cat wrote:
Oh dear, he's damned if he does, and damned if he doesn't.

That's just the small price you pay for being born with a silver spoon in your mouth and not having to ever do a day's work !

From BBC News website -

Friends of Prince Harry have denied reports that he will quit the Army if he is not allowed to serve in Iraq.
But they admitted he would be "very disappointed" to miss out, the BBC's royal correspondent has been told.

The Ministry of Defence is reviewing Harry's deployment after 11 UK troops were killed this month, one of the bloodiest since the conflict began.

Prime Minister Tony Blair has told reporters he would be "delighted" if his child wanted to serve in Iraq.

*********

Well, no one's stopping him are they?
He can take his Dad along too (as he'll be jobless anyway in 13 days)

...."delighted"!!! if his sibling wanted to serve in Iraq??

That takes the biscuit.

I`d be gutted and worried sick.

Mart wrote:
...."delighted"!!! if his sibling wanted to serve in Iraq??

That takes the biscuit.

I`d be gutted and worried sick.

I thought it a gross insult to all those who have had children / friends injured or killed.

Still - he doesn't need to worry about the voters now ... the (highly profitable) US lecture circuit awaits (and the autobiography ... which I hear is called "Lies, Damned Lies and Government Annnouncements").

I heard it was called "Fear and Loathing In Parliament".

"Diary of a Nobody"?

or... "My Suffering"

This subject(notably the Blair comment) has made me think how much we change our views as we get older.

During the Falklands war I felt a tremendous guilt that people my age were being sent down there and I genuinely felt I should have had to suffer the ordeal with them and fight.
Notably, my parents did not share this view.

Now, as a father watching scenes from Iraq on tv of UK soldiers, I just think , send these kids home.
I also think it`s appalling we use the natural aggresion of youth in war.
I was a very aggresive 20 year old that became a very passive 45 year old.
It`s saddening how many young peoples` youthful anger did not give them the chance to reflect on this issue due to the great god called "Oil".

As things stand at present Prince Harry will be deployed to Iraq. He's an excellent officer who has earned the respect of his men. While in Iraq he'll be in the same uniform as the rest of us; he will not have his name painted on his back, and so it will be very difficult to single him out. The biggest danger comes from the media who seem to insist on reporting his whereabouts.

"Never done a day's work"??? What do you think Army life is like? And it is good that Prince Harry wants to serve in Iraq, because it proves he's not a sherker and that he's prepared to go wherever his comrades go, regardless of the danger. Hardly an insult to those who have died in Iraq, one of which was a close friend of Harry's. Some comments on here have been very ill-informed and quite insulting. Do you think nobody reads these boards and sees what you write? I for one am proud to serve with Prince Harry.

I personally blame Blair for the whole debacle (as you may have noticed !)

I honestly don't think the Yanks would have gone it alone - they needed someone alongside (the "coalition" of one !) so they could pretend that this was a UN operation rather than them just grabbing oil.

Blair was never ever going to criticise America - he knows his future lies there (on the lecture tour etc). He was determined to stand with the Americans no matter what.

Can you name any other PM who has put lining HIS own pocket before the wishes of his own people / party in this way?

Royal Blue wrote:
As things stand at present Prince Harry will be deployed to Iraq. He's an excellent officer who has earned the respect of his men... Some comments on here have been very ill-informed and quite insulting. Do you think nobody reads these boards and sees what you write? I for one am proud to serve with Prince Harry.

Thank you for an informed and balancing comment.

I am far from a supporter of Royalty but I do feel there are people here who have made the sort of comments they decry when made by others.

This seems to be one of those damned if does and damned if he doesn't and it's the same persons damning whatever he does.

I have little empathy with the fellow but can accept it's not his fault or responsibility.

Royal Blue wrote:

"Never done a day's work"??? What do you think Army life is like? And it is good that Prince Harry wants to serve in Iraq, because it proves he's not a sherker and that he's prepared to go wherever his comrades go, regardless of the danger. Hardly an insult to those who have died in Iraq, one of which was a close friend of Harry's. Some comments on here have been very ill-informed and quite insulting. Do you think nobody reads these boards and sees what you write? I for one am proud to serve with Prince Harry.

<<< "Never done a day's work"??? What do you think Army life is like? >>>

Probably quite hard for the regulars but you are not suggesting that the Royals do a full stint are you?

<<< Hardly an insult to those who have died in Iraq, one of which was a close friend of Harry's. >>>

It was Blair who made the insulting comments.

<<< I for one am proud to serve with Prince Harry >>>

They you are in for a disappointment. For days now the story has been gradually "spinning" letting the public get ready for the let down. They are already talking about bringing him home early (even if he goes !). First he was "going to quit" if he could not serve, but now he "will stay on but be disappointed". It's all spin !

And on top of everything ... we ALL KNOW that you are ALL coming home very very soon !

According to the latest reports Harry WILL go to Iraq but will be kept tied to a desk job (ordering paper clips or something like that). They feel that it would lose face if he pulled out now, so they are going to "pretend" to send him !

He won't be allowed anywhere near Iraqis, and his stay is likely to be shorter than usual.

Naturally, there will be a few photo-calls - to make it look as if he's actually doing something.

This is entirely unconfirmed speculation. There is no way the military would say exactly what Prince Harry's deployment would be. Even within military circles this will be kept fairly quiet.

Told you so ! Harry to count paper-clips !

From Sky News - "The head of the British army General Sir Richard Dannatt has told Sky News that Prince Harry will be deployed to Iraq.

It follows reports that officials were becoming increasingly worried insurgents will target the prince and are considering a ban on him fighting on the frontline.

Sir Richard said: "The decision has been taken that he will deploy.

"I will of course keep that decision continually under review and if circumstances are such that I change my decision, I will make a further statement."

****

In other words ... if it gets a bit hot - he'll be off before you can say HRH !

To Royal Blue and others -

I found this comment on the contribution by the Royals to the armed forces rather amusing !

<<< Harry's other uncle, Prince Edward, had only a brief stint in the Armed Forces.

He joined the Royal Marines - the first member of the Royal Family to do so - as a second lieutenant in 1983.

Prince Edward completed a two-week course at Lympstone before going to Jesus College, Cambridge, to read for history on a Marines-sponsored cadetship.

He subsequently spent five weeks a year with the Marines, including a short tour in Belize.

But he failed to adapt to military life and eventually left in 1987 to work in theatre production for Andrew Lloyd-Webber's Really Useful Group. >>>


taken from
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6384825.stm