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Prince Harry in Afghanistan

CommodoreMid

Whateva! I do what I want!
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
I wonder why they're coming out with his status now since they wanted to keep it quiet for so long. Regardless, rep to Harry, way to give back to the country which has given you so much.
 

nittany03

Recovering NFO. Herder of Programmers.
pilot
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
Glad to see he finally gets to serve; I remember hearing in the news that he was pissed that the Army wouldn't send him to Iraq. Way to set an example.
 

QuagmireMcGuire

Kinder and Gentler
I admit to being an irreverent sort on occasion. I respect him for being there especially when I'm not; but I don't respect him any more than I do any other member of his battlegroup that was deployed. Yes, he comes from a privileged background and he could have allowed the forces that be keep him from being sent there but does that mean his sacrifice is greater than the man who comes from a humble background and had no one fighting to keep him from being deployed?

I really mean no disrespect. I'm just incredibly confused as to how I should view the import of this story.
 

phrogpilot73

Well-Known Member
I admit to being an irreverent sort on occasion. I respect him for being there especially when I'm not; but I don't respect him any more than I do any other member of his battlegroup that was deployed. Yes, he comes from a privileged background and he could have allowed the forces that be keep him from being sent there but does that mean his sacrifice is greater than the man who comes from a humble background and had no one fighting to keep him from being deployed?

I really mean no disrespect. I'm just incredibly confused as to how I should view the import of this story.
No, his sacrifice is no greater than the sacrifice of anyone else. However, what makes this an important story is because it speaks to the Prince's character. He was given an 'out', by being a Royal. He fought to go to Iraq and wasn't allowed to. He kept fighting, and now he's in the Stan. He's not letting being "Royal" prevent him from doing his duty. That's a good man in my book.
 

villanelle

Nihongo dame desu
Contributor
I think there's something to be said for a guy who had a chance to get out of it and who didn't. His actual service is no more (or less) significant, but I suspect that of the guys there, there would likely be a few who would opt out if given the option, or who never would have joined in the first place if they had every opportunity for an education, could expereince whatever they wanted as a civilian, and no had need for money/career.

Because none of the "other" reasons that people volunteer for military service apply to Prince Harry, it suggests that he's serving purely out of a desire to serve (unless he's doing it to look good, but that seems unlikely to me). I think that's cool.
 

phrogpilot73

Well-Known Member
His main role has been as a member of a group called Joint Tactical Air Control, or JTAC.

"As far as I'm concerned I'm out here as a normal JTAC on the ground and not as Prince Harry" he said.

I wonder what it's like to get "cleared hot" from a Prince... I plan on putting the fact that I have the same skill set as a Prince on my resume...

EDIT: It's mathematically possible. I'm a Prince and didn't even know it.

Prince = Harry
Harry = JTAC
JTAC = FAC
FAC = Stinky

Therefore, Stinky = Prince! WOOHOO!
 

QuagmireMcGuire

Kinder and Gentler
Because none of the "other" reasons that people volunteer for military service apply to Prince Harry, it suggests that he's serving purely out of a desire to serve (unless he's doing it to look good, but that seems unlikely to me). I think that's cool.

I disagree with the statement suggesting that he is serving purely to serve. Granted, none of us know him, but I do know that one reason he is serving is the tradition that the second son earns his commission and serves in the military. That's a long standing tradition within the royal family. His reasons for serving does not detract from his service, though.

Phrog, I think you are a prince amongst men.:D
 

Flash

SEVAL/ECMO
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
I wonder why they're coming out with his status now since they wanted to keep it quiet for so long. Regardless, rep to Harry, way to give back to the country which has given you so much.

It was leaked by the German newspaper and an Australian magazine aftermost press organizations agreed not to release the info due to security concerns. As you can imagine, the British military is probably not very happy. It will cause a bit more work for people unfortunately.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080228/ap_on_re_eu/britain_prince_harry

Good on him for serving.
 

SDNalgene

Blind. Continue...
pilot
I admit, I check the DrudgeReport.com a couple of times a day. When I saw this I felt a bit sick. You have the entire British media agreeing to keep this story under raps, and you know how they love to put anything and everything about their royals on Page 1. And then Drudge and some Aussie magazine completely let the cat out of the bag. It is somewhat reassuring to know that news organizations were able to be persuaded that maybe the right to know everything right away might not be the greater good in this case, but it's sad that once someone spilled the beans the entire British media crumbled and the internet is chocked full of stories about his service. All the stories mention that it's not their fault the story broke, but I don't see anyone holding a gun to their head saying that they need to write stories about it too. If he, and his unit, end up being targeted now then some of that blood will be on the hands of the people who decided to break this. It's risky enough as it is without the media putting a spotlight on him. Sadly journalistic discretion seems to just be an empty phrase now.

As far as Harry's service is concerned, good on the Prince. His motivations are of no importance, nor is his service any more or less noble than anyone else who serves. Even so, the world would be a better place if more sons of privileged families stood on the line and served. He could have easily chosen a different profession, or even gotten out of this assignment, but he didn't, so good on him.
 

HeyJoe

Fly Navy! ...or USMC
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
I disagree with the statement suggesting that he is serving purely to serve. Granted, none of us know him, but I do know that one reason he is serving is the tradition that the second son earns his commission and serves in the military. That's a long standing tradition within the royal family. His reasons for serving does not detract from his service, though.

Phrog, I think you are a prince amongst men.:D

It's not just the second son. The Prince of Wales served before his brother did.
 

Uncle Fester

Robot Pimp
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
...the world would be a better place if more sons of privileged families stood on the line and served. He could have easily chosen a different profession, or even gotten out of this assignment, but he didn't, so good on him.

Hear, hear. Him and LCPL McCain.
 
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