For the one who took a shot at Bush, my father is a US Marine veteran of Vietnam for whom a litmus test is where anyone of his generation was at the time. Plenty of "conservative" politicians who found themselves elsewhere get his withering scorn.

Furthermore, he is no Bush fan, being a paleocon Pat Buchanan type, skeptical of Iraq, opposed to immigration, etc., and rolls his eyes at Bush Sr. and Jr.'s difficulties with the English language.

Hence I was surprised to find that he gives W. a pass at worst on Vietnam. This comes from my father's knowing what it takes to be a fighter pilot; knowng outstanding officers who washed out. Such duty, even stateside, is extremely dangerous, and men die every year. (We lost more men during peacetime stretches at it than died in combat in the first Gulf War; hence Soviet disbelief at our casualty claims). W. was risking his life with every flight. And he could have been called up any time, as other Guard units were. W. is not a coward.

Carney, Maryland, USA

The Prince complaining about field rations? Thank GOD ! It shows him to be a quite normal soldier. I don't think I ever met a fellow soldier/Marine in Vietnam who didn't complain about the field C-Rations. I think soldiers have been complaining about field rations since the first army took the field some many thousands of years ago. RIGHT ON HARRY !!

Joseph Scholle, Severna Park, Maryland USA

I’m not at all horrified at the prospect of the Royal family continuing, Nick from Watford. I happen to think the Monarchy is right for the UK, as it has been for centuries. That is exactly why this whole PR episode appalls me. Please don’t assume you know what others feel.

With the best will in the world Harry is not and can never be a normal professional career soldier, and it is ridiculous to pretend otherwise. As for moving to France, I did so 12 years ago, but called myself “expat” just to make sure people knew I was English despite my domicile - not that it's any of your business.

Nick M, St Ouen, expat in France

I'm an Australian who has served on operations myself, I'm not a royalist at all but I think Harry did the right thing to go and I'm pleased (as a mother of young men) he had the opportunity. But, please can't the powers at be (MoD & the media) please just accept Harry was not making a formal stand about the food on ops. I'm quite sure bringing in Jamie Oliver was not meant to be serious; it was simply a humerous/tongue in cheek comment (and 'very Harry') because its tradition to dislike rat packs. Every person who deploys complains about the food... its just what we do. We know intellectually its unavoidable because its pre packaged food and its a wee bit tastelss, but when push comes to shove its the comraderie that counts out there, not the food because we know the food is nutritonally based and the fact the food is tasteless IS part of the bonding thing!
Well done Afg troops
Harry: you just need some Vegemite: fixes all ills :-)
JH Australia

Jo Harding, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia

Eric, if you google on british army pay you can get all the details there. (The problem then is to make head or tails of it.)

http://www.army.mod.uk/servingsoldier/condofserv/mm/index.html

Keith T, Winnipeg, Canada

"18 month break? And a pay rise? Sign me up now!!!" Would you like your military experience to include that of the Commando who lost a leg and an arm last week? It is supposed to be 2 years between operations, it's 18 months at the moment - and it's hardly a break anyway, it's just back to 'normal' military life - ie living away from home for weeks on end, spending half your life on Dartmoor or Salisbury Plain, forcing your kids to change schools every couple of years, uprooting your partner, earning about the same as a postman? And Harry was promoted automatically, as he has reached the 2 year point. The tabloid media would have you believe it was some sort of reward. 10 weeks or 10 months - it's still a more formative experience than most of us have put ourselves through.

Nick, Watford, UK

By the way, Nick M - I know you will be horrified, but Harry has probably safeguarded the Royal Family for at least another fifty years! A very shrewd, and possibly wholly unintentional move on his part! Mind you, if you don't like it, you can always move to France.

Nick, Watford, UK

Prince Harry is a public person, serving his country already through his royal obligations. He has repeatedly and in a very truthful manner stated that he wanted to go in combat. If he had managed to persuade the British Army to give him one day in Afghanistan, I would have been very proud of him. Please consider how much effort he had to put in for them allowing him to go at all.
As far as the complaining about the rations goes, I'd say he was trying to state a case for many others, hoping that his voice would be heard and knowing that he would not, as many other would, lose rank or something because of this complaint.
I think Prince Harry as a person has shown normalcy in his own shoes. He can not be a normal guy, cause none treats him that way. But in his own shoes, he does really good.

Tatjana, Belgrade, Serbia

Why do people think that Harry is going to 'sit about twiddling his thumbs' between deployments. What do they think the rest of the Army does? Most units will be hard-pressed to satisfy the leave, individual and collective training requirements before the next deployment comes around. If your knowledge of the military is so simplistic, you should really try to refrain from commenting.

Nick, Watford, UK

Why do I feel as if I’m reading one of my late uncle’s books for boys, with their stirring tales of derring do in the Empire and the North West frontier?

There seems to be a deep need in Britain for a ‘hero’ and a young Royal fits the bill perfectly. I’ve nothing against Harry, but this whole episode is a huge miscalculation. The Royal family are supposed to be symbols, above politics – don’t tell me that a Christian prince happily machine-gunning away at followers of Islam, no matter how nasty they may be, isn’t political.

Nor is it symbolic, it’s real, despite this ‘Terry Taliban’ nonsense. Prince Andrew may have served in the Falklands, but the difference there was that British sovereign territory had been invaded. As far as I am aware the Taliban have no plans to invade the UK.

Harry has been manipulated, Agincourt was nearly 600 years ago, and God knows what idiots let this manufactured adventure ever take place!

Nick M, St Ouen, expat in France

Respect to the lad

Ex-Marine

Max, Sussex,

Harry, well mannered, tell that to the photographers and others that he's taken a swing at outside of nightclubs.

chris thomas, liverpool, england

10 weeks.
10 WEEKS
10 WEEKS!!!!!!!!!

That's all. Just 10 weeks. 10 weeks with personal protection, private escort, SAS guard, and he gets 18 months off. Straight back to Bijou's.

You honestly couldn't make such a pathetic story up. And never underestimate the sheer stupidity of the British public in falling for the PR stunt.

Tom Franklin, London, UK

Prince Harry having to wait 18mths to serve his country again is ridiculous, let him do what he want's to do he's a soldier for god sake, he wont thank the army and the goverment for wrapping him up in cotton wool, let him be a man.

Elizabeth Dolan, Dundee, Scotland.

Note to 'Elvis' re John McCain.

McCain attended the United States Naval Academy and graduated in 1958. He was married in 1965. He became a naval aviator, flying attack aircraft from carriers. During the Vietnam War in 1967, he narrowly escaped death in the Forrestal fire. On his twenty-third bombing mission over North Vietnam later in 1967, he was shot down and badly injured. He then endured five and a half years as a prisoner of war, including periods of torture, before he was released following the Paris Peace Accords in 1973. Source:Wikipedia

Jack Kelly, Monte Carlo, Monaco

Prince Harry and Prince William will never be able to do good as there appears to be so much jealousy surrounding them that folks will find fault no matter what.

My opinion for what it is worth is if the rest of the young men were as decent, well mannered and as courageous then the world really would be a better place.

But the majority of our young men are well........do I need to say.......disappointing is one word that comes to mind but there are many more.

Prince Harry you did well.

Izzy, Wirral,, england

I for one am incredibly proud of what the prince achieved and think that any bad press or ill feeling against him is unjustified. He is a soldier and should be allowed to fight for queen and country like the rest of our service men and women. To have a member of our royal family not only be able to fight but truly want to fight along side his fellow country men is something i feel should celebrated. and as for his off the cuff remarks about jamie oliver providing better meals, give the lad a break i think that was what is commonly known as a joke.

Courtney , Cirencester, UK

The Prince deserves a VC for displaying bravery beyond the call of duty, (and so does the BBC film unit which seems to have accompanied him for much of the time).

RobertH, Birmingham,

I believe Prince Harry went to the war front with the intentions of doing this job to the best of his ability and so far as we can see, he did it!
Now there are threats against his life...
If Prince Harry has to sit about for 18 months, twiddling his thumbs, and if he has not learned a bit of responsibility from his 10 week experience on the front lines, then in 18 months, he will either be in a rehab clinic, or in hospital with liver failure.
This young man obviously wants to do SOMETHING!!NOT sit about> Get him off to Africa for the 18 months or so.... Let him live his life!!!

Kate, Niagara on the Lake, On, canada

18 month break? And a pay rise?
Sign me up now!!!

Zoë, Exeter,

It's textbook really. No-one described Harry as a hero, apart from the media. In fact Harry specifically articulated his view that he is not a hero. Having ignored that and cast him as a hero, the media then attacks him for not being a hero (as do a fair number of contributors on here). When accused of this, the media will state that it was MOD and Palace spin that somehow caused them to slip and insert in big black letters the fact that Harry is a hero.

Nick, Watford, UK

I find it curious that so many depreciate the service of Prince Harry when I doubt most of them have spent a single minute in a pair of military boots.

As a combat veteran I can assure you all that if the Prince was doing the job they said he was doing he was very much in harms way. 10 weeks is a long time in a war.

Wecome home Prince Harry!

Jim Walton, Washington, DC

So after a short stint in enemy territory, Harry is taking an 18 month break. My hero.

Trent Carnegie, Wadebridge, Cornwall

re McCain's combat hours: 5 years being tortured in the Hanoi Hilton doesnt count as combat?

don, dublin, ireland

Excellent PR work, its amazing what you can achieve when you hire the best PR company in the country and have 8 permanent PR staff working on the case.

Eran James, Bristol, UK

The idea that hi cover was blown is a joke, how can he be photograped shooting guns talking on a radio and walking own a street with the cameras following him, l don't dought that he was there for 10 weeks but l bet they had his rear end covered, and when it got to much for him they pulled him out, l know lads who have done far more then then 10 weeks and they did not get 18 months off to relax, treat all soldiers the same one soldiers should not get special treatment just because his Daddy may be the future King.

Susie, Ottawa, Canada

Is everyone in the British Army allowed to grow their hair as long as the Prince? Seems a bit shaggy. But I admire him and his efforts.

Jack Black, Ridgewood, USA

I have nothing but respect for anyone who has, is or will be serving in any theatre of war. Be he a Prince or not - credit where credit is due. It may have been short and sweet but he has served his county. No Harry is no hero but still I think he deserves a pat on the back and some respect rather than criticism. The Boy done good!

James Oxtoby, Huddersfield, UK

I get fed up of writing in to these have your say forums, and then finding out I haven't had my say at all.......

Zoë, Exeter,

K Nicholson,

Maybe you should check your facts.

The HCR has lost a number of men in Iraq and Afghanistan. They have also gained many a gallantry award, including a GC. The Royal Armoured Corps is after all a teeth arm.

As for "diving?? about on quad bikes and trail bikes" If you'd done time on Ops for this nation yourself you'd know that blokes let off steam when they are stood down.

We don't have sub-lieutenants in the British Army. Thats the Navy.

RB, Dundee, UK

Have we not exhausted the Prince Harry in combat story yet? Lets focus on some real heroes on the front line!

John Szepietowski, Weybridge, Surrey UK

Don't give Harry a hard time, six years in the US Marines taught me that the most valuable thing in our arsenal to make friends among the troops of allied nations, particularly the British but also the Aussies, Canadians and S. Koreans was to give them some of our MREs which were far better than their dreadful rations.

Tom, Chicago, Illinois, USA

I find it disgusting my fellow countrymen have lambasted Prince Harry. I wonder what some of you have done for your country? Sit about and moan and spend you evenings down the pub? Watch Big Brother?

Most of the positive comments have come from outside the UK with Americans and even some Germans inspired by someone with immense privileges doing his duty in the dust of Afghanistan. There is no front line in Afghanistan. The south of the country is a hornets next and Taliban and insurgents are swarming everywhere.

Chris, Ex- British Army

Chris , London, England

Thank you for participating in this call for peace. You have such a good heart like your mother. God bless you always...

Joanne Brown, Houston, TX

Good for Harry for doing his bit, not his fault that he had to come home early. It was the right thing to bring him home once his whereabouts were made public.

As an aside, since this news broke and I have seen recent photographs of him, as well as seeing him on the television news, I am delighted to notice that, now he is losing his "baby" looks, he bears a striking resemblance to Prince Charles.

LBrown, London, UK

Eric in Emporia wants to know what a British soldier gets paid: on the US DoD Website, on 1 Jan 08, a US E1 Private with less than 2 years service, has a basic salary of around £627 per month. The equivalent UK private with the same amount of serivce will take home about £1342. US benefits on operations are better, but most soldiers will not spend 22 years on operations. And then of course there are lots of other factors such as cost of living, different tax rates etc.

Nick, Watford, UK

Well he spent longer in combat than "war hero" John McCain who spent around 20 hours in combat in total.

Elvis, Tupelo, Old Miss,

If the pictures and footage are anything to go by, Harry is typical of a posing Guard’s sub-lieutenant, short sword slung on his back, Browning pistol pushed down the font of his body armour, diving around the desert on quad bikes and trail bikes. Contrasting this with the understated infantry officers and soldiers on the front line, Harry looks like an American comic book character “cool yhar”, rather than cool professional.

Why can’t the media just report it as it is, rather than pushing the Palace heroic spin. Harry has spent 10 weeks in the field some of that time "working up" to deployment. Most of the time was spent at a well defended Battle Group GQ out of contact with any hostiles, his brief excursions into the field being carefully directed.

How can some of the media term this as heroic or Harry as a veteran? The timely
“outing “ of his deployment has given the Palace the opportunity to withdraw Harry without being put into too much danger. He is now well on the way to “winning” the same chest full of medals as Charles and the Philip.

K nicholson, Northampton,

Harry says that he is no hero but that the real heros are all the troops that in Afghanistan.

Perhaps so but he is a far better role model than any of the football stars and pop stars such as Amy WHinehouse, Britney Spears etc.

Chris, Ashford, Middlesex, UK

the rest of the forces DO have an 18 month break between operations, Iain Morris of MK. Perhaps you should check your facts.

Berney, london, UK

Eric in Emporia wants to know what a British soldier gets paid, serving in Afghanistan an 18 year old private (starting grade) will take home about $2,000 a month. The VA benefits he gets if he gets injured are woeful compared to those available to US soldiers and I know you all think they are too low in the US.

Terry, Watford, UK

10 weeks. He was out there 10 weeks. Not 10 months. Not 2nd tour. How many times did he make contact with "Terry Taliban" ? zero ?

He's done a good job in getting recognition for our troops who've been out there for many months, and those on their 2nd tour of duty. But that's all.

Terry, Middle, UK

Iain Morris - they do get 18 months, unless you're very unlucky. 18 months is about standard at the moment. It's supposed to be two years.

Nick, Watford, UK

At least the British Royals accept their duty to their country as soldiers, unlike many of the American elite such as that coward Bush and his sidekick Cheney, both who managed to avoid VietNam.

Ken Yeager, Grosshasdorf, Germany

I remember living off those rations in the Army. After about 3 weeks I felt like I was going to vomit with each mouthful.

Good times!

Chris , London, England

I thought Prince Harry walked tall and spoke sensibly. I shall think twice now before being critical of him.

Don't take what the Taliban say too seriously. They'll tell any lie to appear more in control than they are..

Geoffrey, Sydney,

pity the rest of the forces can not have an 18 month break between operations

IAIN MORRIS, mk,

Harry did a good job as an ordinary soldier doing exceptional work. The British press were honorable; who'd have believed that!
Good on You (all).

Jocelyne Leach, Walton on the Naze, ESSEX

I applaud H.R.H , for doing his tour of duty like other members if HM Armed Forces.
It is a dit hairy, after all HRH is 3rd in line to the throne, having an heir and a spare is fine, providing the heor and the Spare dont indulge in dangerous activities.
God bless the pronces, if they should cop it, there are still a few members of the Blood Royal to fill thier shoes.
Even HRH the Earl of Wessex has now provided a male heir! There you go, the Windsors are all safe and well!
God Save the Queen(thank God we dont have a president!!!

adrian Dunsford, Adelaide , South Australia

MD Safri in KL needs to get a grip of reality. This is the 21st century and in this particular war no one is riding around on horses. Why do people need to be so spiteful? This young man has obviously done his bit for the country of his birth; the Royal Family yet agian demonstrates in actions its true service to the UK - oh so different to all the people who idly sit on the side and criticise BUT of course NEVER put themselves in harms way or any other action which ordinary people can respect. Good for Prince Harry; he is a testament to the core British values of dercency, service, courage and heroism - like everyone serving in the armed forces.

Gary, Hong Kong,

The indulgence of the already self indulgent Prince Harry on his adventurers in Afghanistan really makes me gag-It certainly appears that he enjoyed himself playing at being one of the boys-playing with their toys-shame Jamie Oliver couldnt have accompanied him then!! This is just so contrieved-and Harry, seems suitably embarassed, as he arrives home, with his "hero" status set in stone to the welcoming embrace of Dad and William.
It is embarrassing and would be offensive, were it just not so ridiculous -It is one of those cringe worthy Royal moments, that will only be surpassed by yet a substantially more morose Royal PR stunt.

The footage of Harry and his guys depicts a group of young men just hanging about-killing time. This is so boring, that even the desperados behind the RealityTV genre couldnt work their particular brand of magic to entice a potential viewer or two!!
Harry may be better served pursuing an acting career-chances are he may get handed a decent script

ann, mayo, Ireland

How niave of Harry to say that because the British press went along with 'the deal' that it could work again. The point surely is that the news was out soon after he arrived in Afghanistan, the British press simply colluded long enough to get sufficiant photos to make a story. Harry should have been brought home as soon as it was made known on the website that he was in Afghanistan. It is absolutely disgraceful that the British people were the only ones kept in the dark. This has been nothing more than propagana for the governement and the Royals and the media have gone along with it, no doubt because they were promised some good pictures. Shame on you all for allowing this charade to continue when you knew the story was already out.

Eileen McGlone, Stockport, UK

I have a president who personally avoided going into harm's way. I don't agree that either of our countries belong in Asia,but I applaud the prince and what it says about his family and his country.

Bill, Anaheim, California/USA

Regarding Md Safris comment about Prince Harry not leading like knights of old when was the last time anyone saw a Taliban Chief leading his followers into battle? Answer never.
They prefer to hide in caves and send their suicide bombers to do their fighting for them.

M Jones, Newport,

I Belize that it was a very noble thing for him to do but it was very unwise. And I do fell sorry for him not Bering able to do what he wants but he can't someimes the risk of something bad happens needs to out way the wish to take the risk which is a very sad reality but in this case it is true. But we all support Prince Harry's wishes.!.

Ali, Racine, Wisconsin

With the spring offensive just around the corner and the Taliban gaining strength in the war, I think the cover was blown conveniently by the British defense department just to save the prince. So this prince is unlike the princes and the knights of old who would lead their army in battles on their horses in the frontlines until the last drop of blood is shed.

Md Safri, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

A man in the position of Prince Harry has alot to consider. He wants to be a brave soldier and fight for justice with his fellow soldiers but he has to remember is role in military activities pose a danger to governments society because of who he is. If he were ever to be caught, could cause great harm to Britian and the U.S. I am proud to know that someone of his "stature" wants to serve but if he is ever caught by the emeny the idea of a ransom or torture comes to mind and because he is royalty he has to look at the big picture of the goal of our two governments not to mention the other countryies helping the cause in iraq adn afghanistan. As much as we want to see him happy serving, his title in Britain could jeopardize success in the region if he continues to fight. He is a hero and great man in my book. Cheers!

Ben Gies, Seattle, U.S.A./ WA

I met several British soldiers and was delighted to work on a special project for the MoD in 1991 near Bergen, Germany. I asked a career NCO, corporal with over ten years in service how much he was paid and it was less than a third of my pay as an E-4 (Specialist) in the U.S. Army! My question is, "How much does a British enlisted soldier or NCO with the rank of say E-1 or corporal (E-4) make per month?

Eric, Emporia, USA/Kansas