Prince Harry could be sent to Iraq

[dcentity2000]

I'm not sure what I make of this.

Prince Harry, completing his army officer training, has chosen to join a regiment which could be deployed in Iraq.

Harry, 21, third in line to the throne, has opted to join the Blues and Royals regiment of the Household Cavalry, his father Prince Charles's Clarence House residence said Wednesday.

The Household Cavalry are expected to be deployed to Iraq in the future.

He could also have to guard Queen Elizabeth II, his grandmother.

Harry is due to complete his officer training at Britain's elite Sandhurst military college in April. He will become a second lieutenant in the cavalry once commissioned as an officer.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "It's fair to say that if his squadron goes to Iraq, he will probably go with it."

The prince could see front-line action if officials allow him to take part.

I'm really not sure what to think. On the one hand, it's frightfully brave to opt into this. On the other, I'd hate for this country to lose him.

Politically it's problematic too - the Royals have traditionally stayed out of politics, functioning as the heads of state, a constitutional safeguard and as the mainstay of a multi-billion pound tourist trade. Going to Iraq will be an automatic controversy. I doubt it'll be a plus for the royals, given how much the war is hated over here.

Clicky for sauce.



Rich::

 

[mrsv98]

Well, from everything I have read, he is an excellent officer. There is a tradition of the royals serving as I am sure you know and Prince Andrew served in the Falklands. Harry didn't enter Sandhurst thinking he was going to knit tea cozies so he should be allowed to serve just as any other graduate.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I don't see this as a negative. He wants to serve his country.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Wowzers -- that is brave of him. But in his position, he's seemingly caught between a rock and a hard place; a definite no-win situation.

 

[Servants of Evan]

I think it would be a great idea. But then again, I'd also like to see the Bush girls over there. Let them ride around in non-uparmored hummers like my nephew has had to do. Let them wonder where the machine guns they've been promised for the past three months are...

 

[lyeag]

If he wants to serve, and he won't endanger anyone due to his being a royal (being an obvious target), I think he should. It isn't quite the same thing, but here people yell because the Bush girls don't serve. I think if this is something he wants to do, then he should go to Iraq without any big debate.

 

[Marseeya]

I think it would be a great idea. But then again, I'd also like to see the Bush girls over there. Let them ride around in non-uparmored hummers like my nephew has had to do. Let them wonder where the machine guns they've been promised for the past three months are...

I totally agree. But we wouldn't want them to break a nail, now, would we?

 

[Longsx3]

I'm not sure what I make of this.



I'm really not sure what to think. On the one hand, it's frightfully brave to opt into this. On the other, I'd hate for this country to lose him.

Politically it's problematic too - the Royals have traditionally stayed out of politics, functioning as the heads of state, a constitutional safeguard and as the mainstay of a multi-billion pound tourist trade. Going to Iraq will be an automatic controversy. I doubt it'll be a plus for the royals, given how much the war is hated over here.

Clicky for sauce.


I am not sure I would consider it brave, well at least no more so than the 100,000 + Americans doing their job by serving in Iraq. I think he would be simlpy doing his job. When you join the Military going to war is not an option it is part of the job.

I think him being there could potentially be a distraction and not in the best interest of those serving with him.

 

[dennis99ss]

Maybe it would speed up the withdrawal of the troops.

 

[Dabbler]

Great to see the Royals leading from the front. Being the Oldest regiment in the UK great choice by Harry.

The Household Cavalry Regiment is deployed with armoured vehicles on military operations, while the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment performs ceremonial roles on horseback.

The Household Cavalry Regiment has been at the forefront of Britain's military operations in Northern Ireland, the Falklands, and the Gulf War.