Prince Harry calls for return of national service

[Vouthon]

I am aware that this a contentious topic but I personally disagree with the Prince. While I am quite sure that Army did discipline him, kept him out of trouble and probably made him into a better man, I don’t agree with the enforced militarization of peacetime societies.The army is a profession open to anyone who wishes to enlist. why impose it on those who don’t want it?

uk.reuters.com/article/2015/05/17/uk-britain-royals-harry-idUKKBN0O20B020150517

**Prince Harry calls for return of national service

Prince Harry called for the return of national service in the country, crediting a military career for helping to keep himself and the soldiers he commanded on the right track.

Harry, 30, fifth in line to the throne, told The Sunday Times, that his 10-year career in the British Army had done “amazing things” for him.**

“**Bring back national service,” Harry said.

“I dread to think where I’d be without the army…And more importantly to me, what I’ve seen the army do to other young guys.”**

In 2012, Harry, the Queen’s grandson, expressed his regret after pictures were published of him and a young woman naked in Las Vegas, in an incident which embarrassed the monarchy.

Harry is due to quit the army next month, having said earlier in the year that he is at a crossroads in life and explaining that taking on more royal duties he would not have the time to focus on his army job.

Asked about his love life in the interview, Harry said he was happy with his current single status.

“For me, it’s good, I’m very happy not having a girlfriend. I’m not sort of, looking. It’s cool,” he said.

He was speaking to the newspaper in New Zealand, where he has spent the last week on a tour, after previously completing a month-long secondment to the Australian Defence Force.

His call for the reinstatement of national service, which was phased out in Britain from 1960, follows the publication earlier this week of letters from his father, Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, to government ministers.

Under Britain’s unwritten constitution, the royal family is supposed to remain above politics, and Queen Elizabeth has kept her opinions to herself during her 63-year reign.

Harry is planning to spend three months this summer in southern Africa, pursuing his interests in wildlife and conservation.

He is due to return to Britain this week when he is expected to meet Princess Charlotte, his brother William’s second child, who was born earlier in May.

 

[Vouthon]

And they were right Prior to WW1, Britain had always been opposed to conscription, ever since the Glorious Revolution made people wary of a standing army and militarism in society.

 

[Kaninchen]

I expect daily marching up and down the parade grounds of Catterick and Aldershot would work wonders for millions of the nation’s youth.

 

[Vouthon]

I expect daily marching up and down the parade grounds of Catterick and Aldershot would work wonders for millions of the nation’s youth.

I think older generations often unfairly judge the youth, having only left my teens three years ago I’m close enough to it to have first-hand experience of the matter. There are many naturally conscientious, hard-working, self-controlled, clean living young people who do need the state to force a gun into their hands, a uniform on their body, a rod at their backs and a marching drill upon their their ears. I respect our armed forces very deeply but I don’t believe we should militarise civil society unless their is a national emergency equivalent to a serious global war.

 

[GEddie]

I think older generations often unfairly judge the youth, having only left my teens three years ago I’m close enough to it to have first-hand experience of the matter. There are many naturally conscientious, hard-working, self-controlled, clean living young people who do need the state to force a gun into their hands, a uniform on their body, a rod at their backs and a marching drill upon their their ears. I respect our armed forces very deeply but I don’t believe we should militarise civil society unless their is a national emergency equivalent to a serious global war.

The youth **do **need the state to force them around? Clarification, please.

Methinks that bus has sailed, whether it be your left-drive bus or one of ours here in the USA.

Enforcing a requirement that had not existed for generations just to “whip people into shape” doesn’t work. the state would get resentment and resistance instead. IMNAAHO

ICXC NIKA

 

[Vouthon]

The youth **do **need the state to force them around? Clarification, please.

Yes, I missed out the word “not”, I meant to say “do not”!

Methinks that bus has sailed, whether it be your left-drive bus or one of ours here in the USA.

Enforcing a requirement that had not existed for generations just to “whip people into shape” doesn’t work. the state would get resentment and resistance instead. IMNAAHO

I agree entirely, thank you for pointing out my unfortunate typo

 

[BartholomewB]

It’s nearly sixty years ago now that National Service was done away with, at the behest of the British armed forces themselves. They thought that a volunteer army, navy, and air force would work better. But has it turned out that way, in practice? Is the prince passing on a message he has heard among the top brass, or was it just a casual remark in the course of small talk with his buddies about this and that? I suspect the latter, but it would be nice to know for sure.

 

[Kaninchen]

I think older generations often unfairly judge the youth, having only left my teens three years ago I’m close enough to it to have first-hand experience of the matter. There are many naturally conscientious, hard-working, self-controlled, clean living young people who do need the state to force a gun into their hands, a uniform on their body, a rod at their backs and a marching drill upon their their ears. I respect our armed forces very deeply but I don’t believe we should militarise civil society unless their is a national emergency equivalent to a serious global war.

Oh, I was just pointing out that National Service would see lots of teenagers marching around Catterick and Aldershot - there not being a lot of colonies to police, countries to invade, stuff like that.

 

[Della]

Although Prince Harry is talking about the military, I think that some kind of community service involvement would be a great thing for many young people who have too much time on their hands during the summer. If not taking classes or employed, I think young people could be volunteering to help with needed social functions from bringing food to shut-ins, taking courses in first-aid, helping out at summer camps, etc. Teens can too often get into groups that turn destructive merely out of boredom and a lack of direction.

Parents ought to be seeing to it that their kids are engaged in some kind of meaningful activity, but too many are so busy with their careers and other things–legitimate things, but it can be like thinking the baby is fine in the bath for just a few moments. They often think that young people can take care of themselves, which is not a very wise assumption. While most young people are responsible, a good many still need guidance because, even if they look like adults, they aren’t. They don’t think like adults nor do they realize the consequences of their actions. They think they’re invulnerable and that whatever comes into their heads is a great idea. Not all, of course, but enough for teen crime and mischief to be a problem for law enforcement and a concern for their communities.

 

[weller2]

why impose it on those who don’t want it?

Population reduction without causing social unrest.

 

[7_Sorrows]

I know Israel has mandatory registration for the military and I am not sure if any other countries do. In Israel I believe it is for both men and women.
The draft definitely proved to be a disaster here in the United States for Viet Nam. I don’t know what the regulations were for World Wars 1 and 2 and the Korean War.

 

[triumphguy]

For a “paper tiger” the British Military has acquitted itself very well in the last 200 years.

 

[Morwenna]

Here in Australia, there’s a poll running this morning on this topic:

ninemsn.com.au/

Should national service be reintroduced?
Yes 75% (9798)
No 25% (3210)

NB: It’s an (unscientific) internet poll, but still interesting.

 

[J.J]

As one who has done 6 years in USAF, (US Air Force, for those who don’t know) allow me to point out that a Draft system would be good for any nation as a beginning way to prep young people IN CASE of wartime need. Waiting until hostilities break-out is too late to think about manpower needs. Remember the Boy Scout Moto: “Be Prepared”.

If nothing else, the draftee would go through basic training, learning what discipline is all about, how to take orders, commands, and objectives of protecting their nation, use/proficiency in small arms use etc. At THE VERY LEAST, how to put one foot in front of another on command.

That is All -
Dismissed

 

[GEddie]

As one who has done 6 years in USAF, (US Air Force, for those who don’t know) allow me to point out that a Draft system would be good for any nation as a beginning way to prep young people IN CASE of wartime need. Waiting until hostilities break-out is too late to think about manpower needs. Remember the Boy Scout Moto: “Be Prepared”.

If nothing else, the draftee would go through basic training, learning what discipline is all about, how to take orders, commands, and objectives of protecting their nation, use/proficiency in small arms use etc. At THE VERY LEAST, how to put one foot in front of another on command.

That is All -
Dismissed

It would also give Government a blank check in human life. Never again.

Better to be less than perfectly “prepared” than to have the Government use war as a tool to its own glorification again.

We are already the premier pants-kicker of the planet. Not every “preparation” is worth doing.

ICXC NIKA

 

[J.J]

Re: “All volunteer Military vs. Draftees”

We’ve (The US) also tried “All Volunteer” Army - (AF has always been Volunteer) with less than great results.
It was discovered early-on that “All Volunteers” didn’t take or execute orders properly, thoroughly, or with a will to overcome and prevail - often resulting in disastrous results, Ala many Vietnam - Republic of - incidents.
Draftees, however, knew they had only a short enlistment (except WW11 = in for “duration of hostilities”) and, instead kept their mouths shut, took orders, and generally proceeded to move forward to accomplish a given objective.

The enemy’s and potential enemy’s we face today respect only one position and emotion in opposition; and that is (wait for it) not “Love”, but Fear, the most powerful emotion known to mankind. Anything, any position, posture presented less than fear represents weakness to be exploited - which is exactly what is happening today.

I admire Prince Harry, and anyone else w/military experience that recognizes the on-going need for a standing, trained military.

When you weenies hear the sound of “in-coming”, and see the mushroom cloud on the edge of Town, you’'ll understand — too late.

That is All –

 

[SWolf]

As one who has done 6 years in USAF, (US Air Force, for those who don’t know) allow me to point out that a Draft system would be good for any nation as a beginning way to prep young people IN CASE of wartime need. Waiting until hostilities break-out is too late to think about manpower needs. Remember the Boy Scout Moto: “Be Prepared”.

If nothing else, the draftee would go through basic training, learning what discipline is all about, how to take orders, commands, and objectives of protecting their nation, use/proficiency in small arms use etc. At THE VERY LEAST, how to put one foot in front of another on command.

That is All -
Dismissed

Morally: The Draft is involuntary servitude to the State.

Practically: There’s no wartime need for a massive standing army. If a war got to that level, the nukes would come out.

 

[J.J]

To those who cry “Never again” regarding a well trained military –

Not to worry; there will always be a “core of us” ready to move to the front to protect your Right to Life, Liberty, the Pursuit of Happiness, and the Leftist lifestyle that Pres. Sharpton-Obama has promised.

 

[J.J]

(name removed by moderator) -

You do have a point – many (too many) are not citizens -quite a number sneak into the USA in the dark of night, over the rivers - what we used to call “wet backs” - find a place at the welfare trough and suck up what ever welfare programs they can get into. That percentage is large and growing due to the very lack of moral fortitude and indifference to standards and requirements to become a citizen of this country. Besides, if the USA weren’t so great a place to be, and so free with welfare programs, why would so many attempt to slide in by any means available?

I rest my case –

P.S. Re: “Electing new President” – I’m turning blue from holding my breath!!

 

[J.J]

(name removed by moderator) -

Well, “Mate” - Let me help you here –
Terminology such as “Wet Back” - at least in N. America - is descriptive, and historically refers to those illegals who swim across a river (usually at night) to enter the USA w/o documentation, meeting quota limits, have no skills or job waiting, and generally attempt to “live off the Grid”. In short, attempting to live here, taking advantage of as many Rights & privileges as possible w/o any responsibilities.

Secondly, if you view the term as “crass”, can’t help you there; apparently you aren’t familiar/have a working knowledge of US vernacular/slang, and common usage. I’ll make allowances.