General Chat

Apparently Harry's choice would be to fight alongside his fellow soldiers wherever that might be and he's on record as saying that there's no way he would want to sit on his ar*e whilst they were in the front line. I doubt he'd either want or expect any favours and all this suggestion has brought him is a load of undeserved abuse. Daisy

Well I couldnt hack the Marines either,,,it sounds a tough regiment, I wondered why the 'powers that be' hadnt already thought it over regarding Harry going to the front line, I think he would make a great officer,,,he seems to have a good mix of humility and humour to get him through,

Julia , Harry is in a reconnaissance Regiment which uses light armoured recce vehicles like Scorpion's or Scimitars to get around in. Each vehicle has it's own Call sign . The Troop leader always has his own C/S as does The rest of the troop. So if Harry was sent on Active service for six months how long do you think it would take for the enemy to figure out which vehicles were carrying Troop leaders and just go for all of them hoping that Harry is in one of them , and as I said before the media will let them know precisely where Harry will be.

I once read somewhere that the mark of a good officer is the ability to make quick decisions, if they happen to be the right ones.......so much the better...........

My cousin-in-law tried the Marines and bailed out too - he is now settled into a career in the police force and is a lovely bloke. It just wasn't right for him. Maz. XX

Not a problem David it was hard keeping it short :-))) and just to let people like Meercat know that when a soldier See's an Officer he has to salute him , but he is not saluting the Officer himself he is saluting the commission given to him by the Queen so you still have to salute an Officer whether you respect him or not.

I am sure Harry means it when he says he wants to see active service. I really don't see him or his brother sitting behind desks. He should go wherever his Regiment is sent and I am quite sure he will. With regard to Edward just because he couldn't cut it as a marine doesn't make him any less of a man. I admire him for admitting that military life was not for him. In his position I think it was a very brave thing to do. Jean.

I dont understand how Harry will be a bullet magnate. How are they going to find him, they are all dressed alike and unkless the insurgents go up to each one and read his name badge, which they will probably think will say Prince Harry, they are not going to know are they

Saints Alive Thanks - appreciate yr point of view cos I don't know anything much about the army but I did see things the way you do.

Claire yeah he was but look what he went onto do!! he was never cut out for the marines/navy/army but he certainly hasn't sponged off the state!! xx

Hi David would just like to put my point of view. Meercat says he shouldn't go because he wouldn't get the respect of the troops. No brand new officer in the Regiment gets the respect of the troops until he earns it be it in barracks on exercise or in active service. The Troop Sgt will ensure that Harry's earns that respect. As for being wet behind the ears he is at these moment on a six month Troop Leaders course teaching him all aspects of how to run a troop. And yet again he will be able to ask the Troop Sgt anything he's not sure on. It appears the main problem is that people and parents of serving soldiers think that Harry will be a bullet magnet , I'm afraid that every soldier on Active service is a bullet magnet and it isn't going to make any difference if Harry is your Troop Officer or not if they have you in there sights then that's life and that is the price for signing up and joining the forces. Of course the media will let every terrorist know where and when Harry is serving which isn't going to help him and his Troop but I still think Harry will make a fine Officer and should go wherever he is required. Ex 24131994 Troop Sgt :-))))))

A friend of mine was discussing this on the phone yesterday.....he was of exactly the same opinion as Jimmy Jam........ a way of resigning his commission and joining the rest of the family...doing whatever they do

Wasnt Edward the one who got discharged from the Marines because he couldnt handle it?

I've just seen jimmy's reply and I have to say - How is anyone a waste of a life after all he has achieved? Look at the scum we have on our streets mugging, raping and abusing children - surely they are the only waste of lives on this planet?

Thanks for your comments:) Hal, like Maz & Diana said, if he's wet behind the ears fair enough - but he should just be treated as anyone else. If he can't be because he's more of a target there's no point him serving. Hello Harry:) I actually quite like Prince Harry and I admire his attitude. I know nothing about the army but if other people of his position fight, so should he. Jimmy I don't think Edward's a waste of a life - he might serve little purpose as a royal but he's probably done more good in his life than bad. I think yr underestimating Harry - if what I've read is true, he cares very much about achieving something worthwhile in the forces.

david i agree with you...to go in the army you have to have active service.like you said what is the point in joining if you not do a tour of duty in the world....if he is high profile he should have not gone inxxxxxxx((((:

I don,t think its anything to do with goernment etc.its the fact that he said( reportedly) 'he would resign his Commission if he did,nt get sent to Iraq'.As for the other Officers who passed out with him, the same applies to them.Still learning and should,nt be sent to a War Zone untill they have more experience. Better to learn properly and endanger no one than at the 'Sharp End' where mistakes or inexperience can cost other peoples lives. Hal.

Methinks David, usually the voice of reason, is being a bit mischievous. I,m sure if there was a full scale war he would be called upon. In this case the reason given seems to be a valid one - why put other troops in danger by providing a prized scalp for the taliban to score points from. Perhaps not David, but it seems to me that some people want him in the front line just because of who he is. Happy days

Exactly Diana, he should be treated exactly the same as the others - if they are going, then so should he! Maz. XX

Hal - is it the army he's disagreeing with or the fact that 'the government' are saying he can't do active service? And lets be honest if the others he passed out with are doing it then so should he!! xx