Prince William, second in line for the British throne, seems to think what belongs to Britain belongs to him and apparently doesn't understand the meaning of military discipline.
Prince Charles and Prince William
I'm not a critic of the British royal family. In fact, I think they are kind of interesting. Its cool that there is still a European royal family that at least pretend to be enthroned. Its a throw-back to days long gone and all that. Still, sometimes their complete lack of having any limits in their lives is pretty astounding.
As I understand it, since Prince William will undoubtedly be King one day, he is supposed to get training in every branch of the military service. His most recent training has been with the Air Force. He's been learning to fly planes and helicopters and the like. He was awarded his wings recently.
In the past month there have been two incidents (that people know about) of Prince William using Chinook helicopters for his own pleasure. Prince William flew a Chinook to London to pick up his brother, Prince Harry. Then he flew the two of them to the Isle of Wight for a weekend of partying with their cousin, Peter Phillips who is Princess Anne's son. Another time he took a Chinook he was training in to his girlfriend, Kate Middleton's house. He practiced landing and taking off from a field behind her house.
The problem is that he seems to think that the military vehicles that are acquired at the expense of the tax paying citizens of the United Kingdom are his very own personal play things. Or perhaps its that his superior officers are either afraid to tell the future King that he can't do these things or are so enamored with his royalty that they approve such misuse of military vehicles. Either way, there's something terribly wrong when Prince William is allowed to use helicopters and airplanes for his personal use.
Meanwhile, British troops in Afghanistan are dealing with a shortage of Chinooks and other equipment. But why should a little thing like that bother a future King. He'll never have to deal with shortages when he's deployed. Oh wait. He won't be deployed so there really isn't a need to worry about it at all!!!!
I do think it would do him a world of good to have to actually do something with all the training he is getting. He should have to be deployed. It would help him grow up and certainly would help him get a better understanding of what the troops, who will one day be under his command, have to deal with. A callus or two on those perfectly manicured hands would make him feel better about himself as a man.
After all, that's how his ancestors became Kings in the first place.
As I understand it, since Prince William will undoubtedly be King one day, he is supposed to get training in every branch of the military service. His most recent training has been with the Air Force. He's been learning to fly planes and helicopters and the like. He was awarded his wings recently.
In the past month there have been two incidents (that people know about) of Prince William using Chinook helicopters for his own pleasure. Prince William flew a Chinook to London to pick up his brother, Prince Harry. Then he flew the two of them to the Isle of Wight for a weekend of partying with their cousin, Peter Phillips who is Princess Anne's son. Another time he took a Chinook he was training in to his girlfriend, Kate Middleton's house. He practiced landing and taking off from a field behind her house.
The problem is that he seems to think that the military vehicles that are acquired at the expense of the tax paying citizens of the United Kingdom are his very own personal play things. Or perhaps its that his superior officers are either afraid to tell the future King that he can't do these things or are so enamored with his royalty that they approve such misuse of military vehicles. Either way, there's something terribly wrong when Prince William is allowed to use helicopters and airplanes for his personal use.
Meanwhile, British troops in Afghanistan are dealing with a shortage of Chinooks and other equipment. But why should a little thing like that bother a future King. He'll never have to deal with shortages when he's deployed. Oh wait. He won't be deployed so there really isn't a need to worry about it at all!!!!
I do think it would do him a world of good to have to actually do something with all the training he is getting. He should have to be deployed. It would help him grow up and certainly would help him get a better understanding of what the troops, who will one day be under his command, have to deal with. A callus or two on those perfectly manicured hands would make him feel better about himself as a man.
After all, that's how his ancestors became Kings in the first place.
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