Harry Hewitt NOT going to iraq

[String]

BBC NEWS | UK | Prince Harry not to serve in Iraq

An MoD U-turn then.

All that money and time wasted on training someone who has been deemed isn't suitable for being sent to a combat zone.
He should now be immediately discharged from the Army as he isn't fit to serve. What's the point of a soldier that isn't actually allowed to go and fight somewhere? Surely that's the whole point of joining up?

I guess parents of normal people send to iraq who are injured and killed dont get this chance of opt out clause.

[TerryH]

Originally Posted by String

BBC NEWS | UK | Prince Harry not to serve in Iraq

An MoD U-turn then.

All that money and time wasted on training someone who has been deemed isn't suitable for being sent to a combat zone.
He should now be immediately discharged from the Army as he isn't fit to serve. What's the point of a soldier that isn't actually allowed to go and fight somewhere? Surely that's the whole point of joining up?

I guess parents of normal people send to iraq who are injured and killed dont get this chance of opt out clause.

So what of all the armed forces doing support work back home?
Are they worthless because they dont go into combat?

The parents of normal people will include those of his squad, who are very
pleased that there kids are no longer gonna be a major target.

[String]

Originally Posted by TerryH

So what of all the armed forces doing support work back home?
Are they worthless because they dont go into combat?

He joined a combat unit that was deployed to a warzone. He's since been found unsuitable to serve in that unit begging the question why is he still there. Serving soldiers can expect to be deployed especially a frontline area such as his. What is the point of a frontline soldier that isn't allowed to go anywhere where he might get shot at?

The parents of normal people will include those of his squad, who are very
pleased that there kids are no longer gonna be a major target.

Which goes back to my other point - he shouldn't have been allowed to join at ALL if they deem he was unfairly or largely increasing the risk for the others. So again, why is he there?

[Captain Deco]

"I've asked his commanding officer to develop his future career but I won't speculate on that."

Great. I am sure those that serve and fight will be happy to know that Harry, a qualified and trained officer in the Army will now be seen on the gin and cocktails circuit, braving nothing more than the risk of a hangover after last night's mess do.

I know it's not his fault as he is a pawn in all matters like this due to his family connections. It's a bit shit that he has been used as a tool to god knows what end. He must be pissed off that a career that he wants to do is turning into a lifetime of being Colonel in Chief of every regiment - and leading nothing much at all.

[Stesh]

Originally Posted by scubajay

He must be pissed off that a career that he wants to do is turning into a lifetime of being Colonel in Chief of every regiment - and leading nothing much at all.

To right the poor kid wanted to be a professional polo player, but his father stopped him, it's been a tough life for the poor lad, what with his mother being allergic to concrete and all.

[Lou]

I understand that they don't want him to go as he would be specifically targetted. How much more specific you could get beyond wearing a British uniform is something I can't quite grasp. The "other side" wants to kill British forces - are people any more or less dead depending on whether the enemy knew their name?

The other view is that by being in a unit he puts the lives of the others in that unit at risk....but they are allowed to be put at risk by being sent on patrol where people may bomb them or shoot at them. And they are allowed to do it in sub-optimal equipment.

i still can't make sense of the logic....I know it must be there somewhere

[resting rifleman]

Originally Posted by scubajay

"I've asked his commanding officer to develop his future career but I won't speculate on that."

Great. I am sure those that serve and fight will be happy to know that Harry, a qualified and trained officer in the Army will now be seen on the gin and cocktails circuit, braving nothing more than the risk of a hangover after last night's mess do.

I know it's not his fault as he is a pawn in all matters like this due to his family connections. It's a bit shit that he has been used as a tool to god knows what end. He must be pissed off that a career that he wants to do is turning into a lifetime of being Colonel in Chief of every regiment - and leading nothing much at all.

He could always do "selection" and become a shadowy soldier "A" (or "H") that way, if the press found out he'd have to kill em n' everybody's happy.

mike.

[Mr & Mrs H]

Just seen this on the news here in The reef....

They it is too dangerous for him to go out there....does that not mean it is to dangerous for gen pub to go aswell....???

I think it is ridiculous that they speand money and time doing all this for nothing....llike others say it is not his fault ....BUT they should have told him before now...they made the decision literally as he is due to leave lol,....

Bloody UK lol...

[milldog]

I think that if he did go it would have been harder to the guys he would have been serving with, so i can say anything bad against him, at least he didn't go off and run a theatre group!!

he would be a big trophy for the terrorists and a few dozen of them running around with bombs attached to them trying to blow him to pieces would seriously piss your day off

I work with the forces very closely and if you were to ask them what would you do be sat in Colchester bulling you kit or in Iraq or Afghanistan the combat areas get the vote every time, as one CSM said "you take the shilling you go where your told" even if thats a desk!

having been out there a few months ago i think it gets worse every time so personally i think they should be pulled out, and leave them to get on with it but we cant we started it, and we need to fix it.

on a parting note i wish anyone serving anywhere around the world my best wishes and safe return

Graham

[onthetrain]

It's funny but I have really mixed feelings about this one.

Firstly, It is my very strong view that none of our troops should be in Iraq. What a right Royal F... up it all is.

As for the Army announcing that Harry can't go as it's too dangerous, well no shit sherlock! The bodies arriving at Brize Norton every week tell us that.

Going to war is something royalty in this country have always traditionally done. It's about them being seen to take the same risks as the common man. Prince Andrew went with his ship during the Falklands (as did I) and I think got a lot of respect for doing so.

To be fair to Harry I believe that privatly he will be livid at this decision. I think he recognises that the risk goes with the job.

In the long term the decision might save some British lives as there would probably have been a major upsurge from insurgents had he gone. As PIRA used to say he would have to be lucky on every patrol, they only have to be lucky once.

All that said I do think there is political interference at the back of this. It would never do for President B.liar to have presided over the death of the 3rd in line to the throne.

All in all though isnt it all a bit of a no win situation?

Alan