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by Will Tyson-Banks
Today Clarence House released a press statement that Prince Harry has started an Army selection process to determine whether he can start the full Army Air Corps programme to become a helicopter pilot.
On hearing this news, I was left pondering one thing...why?
Why is Prince Harry to be trained in another frontline role that he will not be able to be fully utilised in? The Ministry of Defence would not comment when this press release was made on how likely he would be to serve in a war zone as a pilot. Prince Harry has already survived on tour with the Blue and Royals last year in Afghanistan, but that deployment had to be cut short the moment news was leaked of his activities.
Is Princess Harry a sufficiently worthwhile military asset to justify the money and resources spent on training him further? I'm afraid I have to argue that he is not. While it was evident from the interviews during his deployment in Afghanistan that he enjoys being a solider, it's just not practical for the Prince to serve on the front line due to his 'trophy' status. Prince Harry has already been trained in one role that he is unable to be utilised in. Why should he be trained in another even more expensive role which again he will not be able to be fully utilised in?
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