Prince Harry is back in the news with a photograph by a fellow Vegas partier playing “naked pool.” This is, of course, a source of consternation to the Royal family and, besides, it’s not his first transgression. He’s third in line to the throne, which has the Royals upset and set the media abuzz.

How do we understand this behavior? Is there something wrong with Harry? Yes and no. He is the younger sibling and more prone to acting out. He is a young single man, who actually tends to behave this way on a regular basis. (See my book with my sister, The Five Keys To Understanding Men: A Woman’s Guide). And, more importantly, he’s an active duty combat soldier about to be deployed to a forward unit in a violent war zone. He and his peers may be killed or mutilated in the next few months, creating fear most of us cannot fathom.

Soldiers leaving for the front often behave in this way before shipping out. It is both regressive and life affirming. I’ve known soldiers to hold onto memories of such encounters as they endure the terror and horrors of war. It excites, calms, and nurtures them. Not unlike the last meal of a condemned man, these acts are tolerated as long as no innocents are coerced (the woman in the picture didn’t look like she minded), and no harm is done. I don’t personally stand in judgment of how those defending me prepare themselves to do so.

Prince Harry has been scolded and put back in line. The Royal family honor is being repaired. Let us pause for a moment to understand the psychology of young men and, more importantly, give a bit of a pass to those heading to harm’s way to protect all of us.