Prince Harry will complete his training at Sandhurst in April
Posted on 01/31/2006 6:09:15 PM PST by saquin
Prince Harry is to be sent to Iraq next year as a troop commander and is likely to patrol the hazardous border with Iran, defence sources have disclosed.
The third in line to the throne will join the Army's 1st Mechanised Brigade, which will be deployed to Basra in May 2007.
The prince has told colleagues that he is determined to go on operations and be treated as normally as possible - not kept out of the line of fire.
Defence chiefs, in consultation with the Prince of Wales's office, will have to devise a plan that will not put his life or those of his troops in any greater danger. Substantial planning will go into the deployment and the media is likely to be asked for co-operation on security aspects of the mission.
As a troop commander in the Blues and Royals, the prince will have the rank of cornet, equivalent to a second lieutenant, in charge of 11 men and four light tanks.
The reconnaissance formation will patrol the long border with Iran where weapons, insurgents, drugs and money are smuggled.
The prince's men will use night vision equipment to find terrorists trying to bring in sophisticated bomb making devices.
The desert patrols last up to 10 days with supplies being dropped from aircraft. The work is said to appeal to the soldiers as a mixture of Lawrence of Arabia and Prince 'is a cracking officer' the early SAS long-range desert patrols of the Second World War.
Although the mission will be hazardous, the prince is keen that his royal position will not disqualify him.
"There's no way I'm going to put myself through Sandhurst and then sit on my arse back home while my boys are out fighting for their country," he has said.
Instructors at Sandhurst have been impressed by Prince Harry's approach. "He is going to be a real asset to the Army," a senior officer said. "It would be a real shame if the Palace or MoD did not allow him to go on operations because he is a cracking officer."
Prince Harry will complete his training at Sandhurst in April
I wonder when we'll see Barbara and Jenna joining him?
It happens to guys who have no direction in life. It would be nice if he decided to be a career man. Although it must make the ranks awkward.
it does.
It did for my dad at least.
I personally think that a tour in Iraq should be mandatory for all service members, Brit or American.
sw
"I wonder when we'll see Barbara and Jenna joining him?"
If youre talking about who I think youre talking about then you can join Luca Brazzi with the fishes tonite.
A lot of people had doubts about young Harry but many parents can attest that the kid who gave them the most problems growing up turned out to be the most solid person once they got there.
Not really a problem at all - his uncle, the Duke of York had a reasonably normal naval career with normal rank progression. And he was in a similar position to Harry - younger brother to a likely future King.
For the actual heir, it could be a bit more awkward - but could be done even then.
If Harry wants a military career, then there shouldn't be too much difficulty unless something happens to his brother (who is also now in the Army).
Are you kidding or are you that ignorant that you don't know females aren't allowed in combat units?
Interesting that they didn't choose the Navy, more traditional for the royal family and more patriotic for the island nation.
As soon as they become British Citizens??
Right On Harry!
Harry already had a bit of a rebelious streak. Maybe it was his way of "being himself" and more power to him. I wish him luck and much success.
Actually, historically the Army isn't that uncommon a choice for royals, in recent times, the Navy has certainly been dominant, but over the years other services have featured quite often. Edward VIII (as Prince of Wales) was an Army officer in the First World War and even won the Military Cross, despite not being allowed to officially serve in a combat role.
Yes, indeed he did - as I said the Duke of York had a reasonably normal naval career.
I hope you are right
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