What do ABers think?

[lector]

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Britain's Prince Harry will be sent to Iraq to command a tank unit, the Defense Ministry confirmed Thursday.

Harry -- third in line to the throne -- is expected to be deployed with his Royals and Blues regiment near the southern city of Basra.

The prince will become the first royal to serve in a war zone since his uncle, the Duke of York, piloted helicopters in the Falklands conflict 25 years ago.

British officials have indicated that Harry, 22, could be kept out of situations that could jeopardize his colleagues amid fears he would be a prize target -- or "bullet magnet" -- for insurgents.

But Harry, who graduated last year from Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, has insisted he does not want special treatment.

Clarence House, which speaks on behalf of the prince, and the Ministry of Defense said that the prince would carry out a "normal troop commander's role."

In a joint statement, they said: "We can confirm today that Prince Harry will deploy to Iraq later this year in command of a troop from 'A Squadron' of the Household Cavalry Regiment.

"Whilst in Iraq Cornet Wales (Harry's regimental title) will carry out a normal troop commander's role, involving leading a troop of 12 men in four Scimitar armored reconnaissance vehicles, each with a crew of three.

"The decision to deploy him has been a military one... The royal household has been consulted throughout."

[Loosehead]

already been discussed:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/News/Question36 7473.html

[ELVIS68]

He`ll get plenty of advice from his dad, Capt. James Hewitt

[Gromit]

I think a political decision should be made not to send him.

This war is perceived in many countries as an attack on Islam and an unjust war. There is a possibility that Harry could one day be King, Head of State, and the Head of the Church of England. His war involvement would cause great damage to our relations with many countries if he were in fact to become our monarch.

Even though the possibility is remote, we should send him.

[Gromit]

That last line of course should have read

Even though the possibility is remote, we should not send him.

[crete]

ELVIS. im shocked.

[funnygirl]

Are any bodyguards going??

[stokeace]

its very ill advised to announce hes going especially to a specific area when his regiment are deployed there the insurgents will inevitibly increase the attacks using roadside bombs.clarence house has kindly informed the enemy what sort of duties he will be doing and even what reconnaissance vehicles he will be commanding he might as well wear a hi vis jacket with his name plastered all over it.as an ex soldier who has served in iraq i for 1 would not want to crew a recon vehicle with him.

[casaespana]

While other young men are getting blitzed on drink and drugs, what a wonderful example the young Prince is to all of them. He has been brought up in the school of hard knocks and all he asks, is to be allowed to serve his beloved Queen and country and not be a burden on the state, like so many of his peers.
I salute you Sir, a true Captain of courage.

[jno]

quite right, casaespana. I do hope however that he does not, in a moment of weakness, decide to dress up as, say, a Nazi stormtrooper while there; it might give the Iraqis a mistaken idea about Britain.

[sarnieken]

Agree with casaespana. Everyone else is wrapping him up in cotton wool and expressing concern about his movements whereas he is raring to go. Good on him.

I personally think it is insulting to the rest of the guys being sent out there that the medeia put the spotlight on him.
At the end of the day, he is a soldier and he is going to where he is needed. His title has nothing to do with it.

I hope that he gains something from the experience and does his unit and country proud.

regarding the statement at the end of the question about 'the decision being a military one and the household being consulted' should have read,
'The decision to deploy him was a military one and it has f*ck all to do with anyone else what they think'. :)

[jump79]

He does look a lot like James Hewitt doesn't he, I've always wondered about that too ....

[stokeace]

lets just hope he doesnt come home in a body bag because with all the media hype and the leaking of his operational duties its a distinct possibility.

[stokeace]

oh and if he can dodge the american bullets and missiles he will have done well...................

[Booldawg]

He might as well paint a luminous bullseye on his tank. Sending him out there puts him, and his whole unit in great danger. Stupid publicity stunt.

[admarlow]

good on him!!!!! I SUPPORT HIM 100% Who can now say ''what has the royal family done for the country"

[Bohne]

I am in two minds about this!
I think he should not get any special treatment!
He wants to be in the army, he should be faced with all consequences.
However, where I start to reconsider this, is when he might possibly put his colleagues in additional danger.

Final vote still: He should be sent!

[Panic Button]

Sorry, but I couldn't care less

[anotheoldgit]

Totally agree with every one who admires his courage and determination to serve his Queen and country. All those critics of his decision to go out there, would soon be up in arms if he was seen to shy away from his responsibilities.

I feel sorry for his brother William, who although also in the Army, would for obvious reasons, will not be allowed to join Harry.

My only two Grandsons are soon to be deployed into Afghanistan, and I know that either one would be devastated if one or the other, was for some reason not able to also join his Brother.

[casaespana]

jno, how shameful of you to bring up that Nazi uniform incident. The poor boy was only twelve at the time and had been on the Genes Are Us website, searching for his ancestors.

[smudge]

I agree with casaespana.

Well done & good luck to Harry.

I also wish the same to anotheoldgit's Grandsons & all the other brave men & women who are doing the same.

Bless them all.