Royals in the Forces - a nuisance or worse?
Red On, Green On
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Royals in the Forces - a nuisance or worse?
So Harry is off to Sandhurst, and William is considering signing on, it is rumoured.
Is there room in the overstretched services for the younger Royals? Can they pull their weight, or are they there just to avoid the journos, attend mess functions and play polo on a salary?
Is there room in the overstretched services for the younger Royals? Can they pull their weight, or are they there just to avoid the journos, attend mess functions and play polo on a salary?
Who is William considering servicing?
And will Harry be applying for a commission in the Life Guards...?
And will Harry be applying for a commission in the Life Guards...?
Last edited by BEagle; 24th Sep 2004 at 17:07.
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Why the hell do they go through Sandhurst/Cranwell/ (can’t remember Navy - sorry guys) when there is no chance they are going to be rejected? Do they really think the services are so stupid as to accept they had proper and fair assessment? Who would dare to reject one of them? If Harry does well will he really be just one of the officers in the mess with all the duties and privileges just like the rest?
Red On, Green On
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Fatty York had to have extra tuition at Dartmouth to get through the pretty nominal seamanship exams. He'd already done EFT (on the quiet) on the Bulldog at Benson before he joined the RN, as it would have been embarrassing if he'd been chopped. By all accounts he is/was a natural pilot - but somewhat challenged upstairs.
.....and Docklands Doris walked away from the RM. So no, I think that HH's success or otherwise in the Army actually will be on his own merit.
Yeah, right..............
Yeah, right..............
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Personally as a Royalist,I feel we have no right to question whether Royals have a place in the forces. It is in my view is their birthright. I serve their needs, as I swore I would. I serve Her Majesty the Queen first and government a far second.
Furthermore, If Prince Harry gets through Sandhurst, then hell yes, He deserves His place and the right to command; the fact that He is serving a relative should not come neither here nor there.
Mbga
Furthermore, If Prince Harry gets through Sandhurst, then hell yes, He deserves His place and the right to command; the fact that He is serving a relative should not come neither here nor there.
Mbga
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Harry seems a decent enough person and should be given a fair shot at RMAS. Did he get through RCB on merit? We'll never know, so I suppose he deserves the benefit of the doubt.
Surely Ed walking away from CTC would tend to prove the Royals don't get preferential treatment during military training, wouldn't it?
I suppose I'm a 'Royalist' too, but not a 13th Century one! They're a pretty odd lot, but marginally preferable to the alternatives.
Surely Ed walking away from CTC would tend to prove the Royals don't get preferential treatment during military training, wouldn't it?
I suppose I'm a 'Royalist' too, but not a 13th Century one! They're a pretty odd lot, but marginally preferable to the alternatives.
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"Merit" as a criteria for selection is only a fairly recent phenomenon. As recently as a hundred years ago people were still buying commissions; and twice in the past century a great many have been compelled to serve, merit or no, whether they wanted to or not.
Some would argue, myself among them, that it is in fact nothing less than a young Prince's duty to serve in the military. That he wants to, is merit in itself.
Cut the boys some slack, and save comments until we see how they actually measure up.
They may surprise everyone.
Some would argue, myself among them, that it is in fact nothing less than a young Prince's duty to serve in the military. That he wants to, is merit in itself.
Cut the boys some slack, and save comments until we see how they actually measure up.
They may surprise everyone.
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"Andrew a borne pilot"
He is not, aviation is not in his blood, and he does not miss flying one iota. I know for it was he that told me.
I also know of a fast jet QFI that stated "I see that Andrew is a Sea King Captain"; that proves that if you throw enough time and money at any bloke in the street, you can make hime into a helicopter pilot.
Conversation continued and it would appear that Andrews desire was to drive SHAR, but he was not up to it.
He is not, aviation is not in his blood, and he does not miss flying one iota. I know for it was he that told me.
I also know of a fast jet QFI that stated "I see that Andrew is a Sea King Captain"; that proves that if you throw enough time and money at any bloke in the street, you can make hime into a helicopter pilot.
Conversation continued and it would appear that Andrews desire was to drive SHAR, but he was not up to it.
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Performing well in a demanding training course is difficult enough for most youngsters but to do so and cope with the high visibility of being a royal must be more difficult.
Why don't we wish them both well and be grateful that young men of all backgrounds still wish to join our forces.
Why don't we wish them both well and be grateful that young men of all backgrounds still wish to join our forces.
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Well, if Harry joins the Welsh Guards, they are safe from being chopped in future cutbacks methinks. Surely the various branches should be touting for Royal business?
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Harry says he wants to continue his mother's good works. Excellent...a willing volunteer for lots of secondary duties. Parade commander every time as well. Why can't he come to my service and unit?