April 12, 2006
Yahoo.com
Excerpt:
CAMBERLEY, England (AFP) - To the strains of "God Save the Queen" and a sergeant-major barking orders, Prince Harry, the red-headed party animal of the British royal family, formally embarked on his army career as he graduated from the elite Sandhurst military academy.
His grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, who turns 80 on April 21, and father Prince Charles were both present for the passing out ceremony on Wednesday where Harry and 218 other officer cadets in crisp blue uniforms, each carrying thin silver swords, received their commissions after 44 weeks of gruelling training.
"Many of you will deploy on operations within months or even weeks. I wish you every success in your chosen career," said the monarch in remarks to the newly minted officers which made no reference to her 21-year-old grandson.
Harry -- who, true to character, joined army buddies last week at an upmarket lap dancing club -- has chosen to join the Blues and Royals of the Household Cavalry regiment, serving in an armoured reconnaissance unit.
As Second Lieutenant Harry Wales, he will train to become a troop commander, in charge of 11 enlisted men and four light tanks -- a job that could soon see him on front-line duty in Iraq or Afghanistan.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060412/ts_afp/britainroyalmilitaryharry_060412152711
Prince Harry is taking his role as a Army Officer very serious. He could have easily asked for a cushy Military position instead he could be going to War in Afghanistan or Iraq.