Prince Harry - wanting to lead troops in Iraq - is it selfish of him?

Question

I feel a bit sorry for the troops being led by Harry. He is a major target and is putting those guys in more danger and using up more MoD resources on planning for his deployment. He should have joined the Navy or RAF where he was at less risk.

I hope they veto his trip which is all about his needs and not that of the country.

I don't think he is selfish at all I just think that by sending him into this situation you are putting the troops around him at greater risk from terrorists who will be keen to target the Prince. On top of that its the expense of him being looked after at a senior level - surely their time is better spent on looking after everyone not just concentrating on one person as they appear obliged to do. No other soldier is have all the senior military discussing their deployment are they? Its a waste of time

ARTICLE London, Apr 26 :

British royal Prince Harry's dream of serving alongside fellow army-men in Iraq may never come true, for senior officers are contemplating banning him from the war zone to avert an "inevitable disaster" as far as other soldiers are concerned.

Senior officers within the armed forces are extremely concerned that Harry will become a magnet for suicide bombers, snipers and other attackers, thereby also increasing the security threat to his fellow soldiers.

According to a source, Army chiefs have now launched a late review of their decision to let Harry, know simply as 2nd Lt Wales, serve with his men from the Blues and Royals regiment when they leave for Iraq in May.

"It's very complicated. No one wants to gift a PR victory to the insurgents by withdrawing him. But there is a groundswell of opinion across senior ranks now that to allow Harry to serve in the open with his men will lead to an inevitable disaster,"

Answer 1

I for one stand behind his decision. He is willing to put his butt on the line and do what the common soldiers are asked to do. Sounds to me like he's learned that Old Saying " That to Lead you must first follow."

Answer 2

Why? His butt aint made out of china. He's no more precious than anyone else. There are British Moms out there who love their kids too, and they are there, in uniform, subject to combat. So maybe Harry needs to get a dose of what the other troops go through. And if he's a target, then maybe he needs to lose a little of that baby blubber and soft living and be a soldier, and make himself a smaller target!

And if he gets whacked and takes a dirt nap, then he can join the other brave kids over there who gave their all. He's no more special than they are.

Answer 3

i imagine there should be a gag order on the media the position there defense force provider is in contact, i'm also an Ex Squaddie and performance finished understand for Harry desirous to bypass, the reason he can not bypass is one hundred% all the way down to the media, perchance on the QT he might want to do merely a speedy 4 month excursion of Afghanistan without the media being instructed, As for his fathers chest of medals, i don't think of Prince Charles did a lot to earn h is medals, maximum of them are like Jubilee queens fiftieth etc etc not something particular about them, Prince Andrew on the different hand does have the Falklands (South Atlantic medal with rosette)

Answer 4

I think his desire to lead troops in combat is admirable. I hope the safety of the prince and the troops he leads are given a high priority, but I feel that way about all coalition troops.

I think your view is a bit petty. The troops he leads will probably be among the safest British troops anywhere.

Answer 5

I think, prince Harry has a noble intention. It shows me that he a courageous guy with a big heart. There is nothing wrong with that. If British government does not mind, then, they probably thought of the consequences and implications.

Answer 6

He would definitely be putting troops in danger. He is still a kid, and doesn't know wtf he is doing, yet. He is no soldier, but a pretense of one. His only purpose in Iraq is to be a symbol to his people, at home. If he wants to be a REAL man, he will let seasoned soldier's do their job, and he drink lemonade, mixed with tequila by the pool. That is what he was born to do. Go to it, Harry!

Answer 7

if you look at the history of the royals, it is their duty to be in the front lines, to lead their men and their country into battle.

he is a prince in his country and his life is devoted to duty first, doesn't sound like you know anything about that, i'm sure he'd rather be partying or somewhere else, but he doesn't have that luxury. their is a sense of patriotic duty that goes along with running a country, or did you forget the kennedys

duty first.

Answer 8

If he needs to blow off some steam ... for God's sake, can't they find a nice girlfriend for him in the whole UK ? it's so boring when these rich kids, princes, celebrities (or whatever they are) are trying to play the hero, or James Dean's "rebel without a cause" .... jeeez ... like they would ever let him go near a danger zone ... They don't even allow prince charles and prince harry to fly together the same plane for fear of a crash ... so if anyone believes they let him go to war, it's beyond stupidity ... and him saying that he wants to lead troops in Iraq sounds like a bushism to me ... he knows it's never going to happen ...

Answer 9

I would stand behind any Prince, leading from the front. The ones you have to watch are the Liberal Politicians leading from the rear.

Answer 10

Let the prince die. He just wanting to show off his power and secure the throne.
Prince from British "joining attack with alliance", What were pressurise people in Iraq and middle east be thinking? (Alliance are devils)