Prince Harry to Sandhurst

[Bill Smy]

Harry passes Sandhurst exam to join Army
(Filed: 24/09/2004)

Prince Harry is to join the Army next year after passing the entrance exams for Sandhurst, the office of the Prince of Wales has announced.

 
Prince Harry takes part in a cadet parade at Eton
Prince Harry, 20, will enlist for officer training at the prestigious Royal Military Academy after passing a four-day assessment this morning.

He is expected to start the course in January and will follow in the steps of his father, who trained as an RAF pilot, and his uncle the Duke of York, who served in the Navy for 22 years.

The assessment at the Regular Commissions Board (RCB) included an assault course, physical tests, a planning exercise and interviews.

"I am delighted that I have passed my RCB and that I can now go to Sandhurst," Prince Harry said in a statement released by Clarence House.

"The last four days have been very challenging, both mentally and physically, but it's also been an enjoyable experience," he said.

"I have set my sights on joining the Army and I am really looking forward to going to Sandhurst next year."

Prince Charles and Prince William were said to be delighted about the news. "They're very pleased for him. He told them both today," a Clarence House spokesman said.

No details have been released about the regiment the Prince will join, but reports say he could enlist with the Welsh Guards.

Prince Harry is believed to be the most senior royal in recent memory to opt for the Army and attend Sandhurst.

Prince Andrew piloted a Navy helicopter in the Falklands war, while the Count of Wessex dropped out of the Royal Marines after failing to adjust to its regime.

 

[canuck101]

good for Prince Harry i hope he enjoys the army.

 

[Bill Smy]

Military training fit for a prince
(Filed: 24/09/2004)

Sandhurst, the Army's most prestigious college, has always been a popular choice with royal and ruling elites from around the world.

 

Prince Harry will follow in the footsteps of the late King Hussein of Jordan, the Sultan of Brunei, Prince Michael of Kent, Sir Winston Churchill and the fascist Sir Oswald Mosley.

Dodi Fayed, who died in the car crash which killed Prince Harry's mother, Diana, the Princess of Wales, also attended the world's oldest army training centre.

The status of being third in line to the throne may not be enough for Prince Harry to escape the wrath of his superiors at the Royal Military Academy.

On one occasion Prince Hussein was reportedly told by a drill sergeant "You are a horrible little man, Prince Hussein, Sir".

Alongside 270 other new recruits on the commissioning course, Prince Harry will endure an intense 44-week programme which will prepare him for life in the forces.

Unlike the Prince, who left Eton with two A-levels, the majority of Sandhurst's annual intake of 800 is made up of university graduates.

This will mean that, after passing out, Prince Harry will remain longer in the rank of 1st lieutenant, while the graduates are likely to move more quickly to the rank of captain.

Harry will earn an annual salary of £13,082 as an officer cadet while he trains and will join one of the academy's 90-strong companies which are divided infantry platoons of 30.

 

[Bill Smy]

Test includes written exam and sit-ups
(Filed: 24/09/2004)

Completing 50 sit-ups in two minutes is just one of the minimum standards the young Prince had to reach in his Regular Commissions Board tests.

 

Obstacle courses, medicals and a planning exercise were all included in the four-day assessment.

Other physical standards set for Prince Harry and other male candidates included 44 press-ups in two minutes and a fitness level of 10.2 - the equivalent to a 1.5-mile run in 10 minutes, 30 seconds.

Candidates normally begin their tests at the site in Westbury, Wilts, on a Tuesday and stay there for the duration of the assessment.

On day one candidates undergo physical assessments including a multi-stage fitness test, sit-ups and press-ups.

They also complete a written essay and are examined on their current affairs, general and service knowledge.

Day two is interview day and candidates are told: "Sell yourself, make us want to buy." They also complete outdoor activities.

Day three is the planning exercise known as the PlanEx which candidates are said to "never forget".

Examples include having to put together a plan on how to tackle delivery of essential aid supplies during winter weather, while also helping a bleeding woman and her children who are suffering from hypothermia.

In the afternoon, there are command tasks and an individual obstacle course before a formal dinner is held in the evening.

Day four gives the candidates a last chance to shine in the early morning closing race at 7.55am, where they must complete a number of objectives in a given time.

Prince Harry will also have had a medical during the assessment before receiving the results of his tests today.

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

I thought Prince William was also thinking of a military career as well?

 

[GINge!]

Is Sandhurst a tri-service academy?

 

[Acorn]

No. Army only.

 

[winchable]

He'll have to give up Fags and Herbal Jazz Ciggys


Good luck to Harry.
I respect any royal who gives it a shot, Prince Andrew included.

 

[NavyGrunt]

I wish all leaders voted in or born in would do a term of military service or even just trained up......might make things a little different

 

[GINge!]

No. Army only.

I thought so, but it was this line that threw me:

He is expected to start the course in January and will follow in the steps of his father, who trained as an RAF pilot, and his uncle the Duke of York, who served in the Navy for 22 years.

Reading that made me think Charles and Andrew had gone to Sandhurst as well.

 

[Bartok5]

Good on him!  He has an outstanding  military lineage to live up to, not the least of which is Prince Andrew's role as an Army Aviator during the Falklands War.  I wish him the very best, even if military service is but a way-station enroute to the eventual Monarchy.  I respect 'nads, and young Harry quite evidently has a big brass pair to be trying on Sandhurst.  All the power to him!

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

Wasn't Andrew Royal Navy?

 

[Acorn]

Andrew was RN. Phillip (Charles' dad) was also RN. In fact, most royals are encouraged to join the RN, not the Army.

Acorn

 

[Bartok5]

Oops!  My bad!  :-[

Andrew was indeed RN.  Suffice it to say that he demonstrated the requisite parts in flying several casevac missions for the Royal Marines (and perhaps Army?) during the conflict.  Regardless of his branch of service, Andrew got my vote as a "soldier" by putting it on the line back in 1982. 

Now, if only we could expect the same of our political masters......

 

[Kirkhill]

demonstrated the requisite parts in flying several casevac missions for the Royal Marines (and perhaps Army?) during the conflict

IIRC he was involved in the Bluff Cove fiasco getting Guardsmen off the Sir Galahad.   Can't remember if they were Welsh or Scots.

 

[Spr.Earl]

I would like to remind all that Sandhurst is a Military Collage in the true sense,it teaches the History of Arm's in regards to the Army not like R.M.C. which is both by which I mean teaches academics along with the Art of Arm's.

I think he will do well and will make a good Officer just from what I have gleaned of his personality.

Good luck Harry.

Oh his fathers name is spelt 'PHILIP" with a single L not two L's.

 

[portcullisguy]

Here is a prediction:  HRH The Prince William of Wales will (after uni) join the Royal Navy.

The Naval heritage amongst members of the Royal Family is legendary, and seems to be requisite for those expected to advance to the throne.

However, for those less likely to be throned, other vocations are acceptable breaks with tradition (hence Prince Edward joining the Royal Marines ... which technically is part of the RN anyway).

Nearly every member of the Royal Family holds military rank in one or more services.  While often these are honourary or traditional appointments, several are actual ranks held during their service.

HRH The Duke of York attained the rank of Commander in the RN.  His older brother, The Prince of Wales, is a Vice-Admiral, although he had only been in the Service for 5 years' (as a helicopter pilot) and could only have been a Lt-Cdr at best on leaving.  His appointments in the RAF and Army are likewise honourary, although he did qualify as a fixed-wing pilot in the RAF in 1971.

I wonder what regiment Harry will choose on passing out of Sandhurst?  I'd wager it will be one of his father's (The Prince of Wales is colonel-in-chief to five UK regiments, including the Paras).