Prince's career ready to take off

[Mike Baker]

LINK

Prince William will next week take a new step towards his future role as head of Britain's armed forces when he begins flying lessons.

The 25-year-old, second in line to the throne, will start an intensive four-month attachment with the Royal Air Force on Monday.

He will follow in the footsteps of his father, the Prince of Wales, who earned his wings with the RAF 35 years ago.

William will temporarily leave his role as an army officer with the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals to join a class of around 11 students at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire.

He will be known as Flying Officer William Wales -- equivalent to his Army rank of Second Lieutenant, added to which he is also a trained troop commander in charge of armored Scimitar vehicles.

Group Captain Nick Seward, head of the Central Flying School, said the prince would not be given preferential treatment.

"During his time with us, Flying Officer Wales will be realizing a personal ambition to learn how to fly and this will be the beginning of a lifelong relationship with the Royal Air Force," he told the UK Press Association.

"Throughout his attachment, whilst also training alongside fellow officers, we are very keen to make sure that Flying Officer Wales will have the opportunity to meet airmen of all ranks to enable him to have as broad as possible idea of the RAF and how it differs from what he has seen in the Army.

"If successful he will be awarded his RAF wings, and in anticipation of this a graduation ceremony is planned for April.

 

[Greymatters]

"Group Captain Nick Seward, head of the Central Flying School, said the prince would not be given preferential treatment."

I think he already got it.  Not many army officers get to leave their 2Lt positions to take up flying lessons with another military arm... 

 

[OkotoksRookie]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/080229/world/britain_prince_harry_5

Looks like he's been pulled out now... that would be my definition of preferential treatment.
I dunno if that's exactly fair to the poor guy either. He enlisted and trained, shouldn't he get a chance to do what he trained to do?

edit:
crud... didn't see the newest thread during my search, srry!

 

[CougarKing]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/080229/world/britain_prince_harry_5

Looks like he's been pulled out now... that would be my definition of preferential treatment.
I dunno if that's exactly fair to the poor guy either. He enlisted and trained, shouldn't he get a chance to do what he trained to do?

edit:
crud... didn't see the newest thread during my search, srry!

OtotoksRookie,

Why'd you post something about Prince Harry in a thread about Prince William?  ;D

 

[OkotoksRookie]

OtotoksRookie,

Why'd you post something about Prince Harry in a thread about Prince William?  ;D

As my wife puts it.... I'm special  ;D

 

[Panzer Grenadier]

As my wife puts it.... I'm special  ;D

We're all special. What makes you more special than me?! ;D

Back to Topic:

Things may unfold in a way that William will be transporting his brother Harry into a FOB someday.  Some young royals with an unwavering sense of duty.  That would be something too see.

 

[Nemo888]

I thought all his stuff was crap anyway since "Purple Rain".

 

[2 Cdo]

I thought all his stuff was crap anyway since "Purple Rain".

Okay, that was funny! :rofl:

 

[PPCLI Guy]

"Group Captain Nick Seward, head of the Central Flying School, said the prince would not be given preferential treatment."

I think he already got it.  Not many army officers get to leave their 2Lt positions to take up flying lessons with another military arm... 

No, but the Army Air Corps frequently takes on Cbt Arms Capts for 2 or 3 year stints.

 

[tomahawk6]

Britain's Prince William poses for the photographers after he graduated from the Royal Air Force College at the RAF Cranwell, in Cranwell, northern England, Friday April 11, 2008. Prince William was presented with his ceremonial pilot's wings Friday by his father Prince Charles, as he graduated as a military pilot and followed in the footsteps of a host of his royal ancestors. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

 

[geo]

Well, he certainly has his mum's nose (gawd, what a honker!) and his dad's chin

 

[PMedMoe]

I find he's starting to look more like his grandfather, Prince Phillip, and less like his Mum.  Still a nice looking chap, though!

 

[armyvern]

I find he's starting to look more like his grandfather, Prince Phillip, and less like his Mum.  Still a nice looking chap, though!

I'd let my daughter date him (well if she were about 10 years older). 

Nice looking chap!!??

He's a cutie all right. Then again, I think his grandpa's a cutie too.  ;D

 

[geo]

Luckily, he isn't like his uncle "Randy Andy" or his brother Harry

 

[armyvern]

Luckily, he isn't like his uncle "Randy Andy" or his brother Harry

Heck, I once was his Uncle Andy's dinner guest in Sussex, NB (BBQ chicken at that) ... something about red hair must have worn off on him -- he ended up marrying one. Confirmation that we are special!! 

 

[PMedMoe]

I'd let my daughter date him (well if she were about 10 years older). 

Nice looking chap!!??

He's a cutie all right. Then again, I think his grandpa's a cutie too.  ;D

My daughter can date him and she only needs to wait a year! 

I always thought his grandpa was cute, too!!

 

[The Bread Guy]

Next stop:  fighting drug lords in the Caribbean - shared in accordance with the "fair dealing" provisions, Section 29, of the Copyright Act.

Exclusive: Prince William off to fight cocaine war in the Caribbean
Chris Hughes, Sunday Mirror, 7 May 08
Article link

Prince William is to fight in the war against South American drug cartels.

The Household Cavalry officer will join Royal Navy patrols to catch cocaine smugglers in the Caribbean.

Both Clarence House and Armed Forces chiefs want William, 25, to gain experience as an officer in all three services and he will soon complete his four-month stint with the RAF. A senior military source said last night: "Everyone agrees he needs operational experience and to feel he is playing a vital role.

"As a possible future King it is essential for everyone in the Armed Forces to see he is doing his bit.
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"But there are security issues with him going to Iraq or Afghanistan as he is a massive al-Qaeda target. The Caribbean on a Royal Navy warship is an ideal tour as it has operational potential and it works diplomatically.

"Local island governors will be very pleased to see a royal visiting them."

The Royal Navy said: "We do not routinely comment on the details of the operational deployments of either our units or our personnel."