| Author | Message | ||
     Boogiman1981 |
so as some of you may know HD will extend the warranty of our military that are overseas under orders. that is a very good thing i am very glad that they do that. I was a contractor that spent 16 months in Iraq Aug08-Dec09. I bought a new 08 1125R in Jan09. i was in country for 3 weeks of 09. i found out about the warranty program and asked about how to get it applied. I faxed over the requisite documents and was called today and told that as a contractor I do not not qualify for that courtesy. think what you will about contractors but I must say that the policy in its current form is really quite chitty. I was there in the suck getting bombed and shot at jsut the same as a lot of military(no i wasn't kicking doors but then again most on my base weren't either). thoughts on escalations? | ||
| Bishopjb1124 |
Being in the military I have mixed emotions on contractors, I have worked with good ones and with bad ones. The amount of money that contractors get payed is kind of ridiculous for the work they do sometimes (read most of the time). 90% of the contractors I have worked with have a high and mighty attitude, will only work certain hours, and some of them think they are equal to the military. Don't get me wrong, alot of contractors do great work, but why does the military continue to buy products that we need civilians to work on? Makes zero sense to me, this is part of the reason for our great debt in the US. You made a choice to go overseas as a contractor, and true we in the military choose to do what we do. This is Harleys way of showing appreciation for the military which you are not, I understand your reasoning behind wanting to persue this, but please understand my reasoning for being so against it. I feel strongly about what I do, and when people try to get the same rights as the military it upsets me a lot. Jimmy | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
Sorry to hear they dont include contractors and that youre a bit 'screwed' with the warranty But I appreciate you starting this thread, I had no idea HD did that for customers, does anyone know if other manufacturers offer it? Its a pretty cool thing for the troops | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
Jimmy i feel you really. At the same time as you pointed out the military made a choice too. as for the $$ it's not nearly as good as you might think and couple that with NO support after we're done and believe me the military has the compensation piece down much better than we did/do. from what i saw with my own eyes the same could easily be said for whatever large percentage you want to put in there about the military side of things on my base. we were all in danger at all times is my point not whether i did more work than anyone else. that's not the point of the program from harley the point is in recognition of the hazards/hardships(ie away from the fam) while deployed. not about how much $$ you did or didn't make. that aside the point of the question was if anyone has any thoughts as to how I might go about getting this fixed. | ||
| Jumbo_petite |
that aside the point of the question was if anyone has any thoughts as to how I might go about getting this fixed. Just my 2 cents, but in Harley's eyes it ain't broke and what ain't broke don't get fixed. I can vouch for the not broke no fix part of the philosophy. | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
thanks i think lol | ||
| Bishopjb1124 |
I agree with JP on this, it aint broke so dont try to fix it. Harley does this for the MILITARY!!!!!!!! What is so hard to understand? You have no ground to stand on, POINT BLANK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Harley does not have to honor shit for you. If this was the case every business man that takes a trip, every prisoner in jail could try to claim on it. This is something they offer for the military for their service to this country defending the freedoms you enjoy everyday and take for granted, the freedoms that the guys that died on IWO JIMA, Guadalcanal gave their lives defending. UNDERSTAND IT. FREEDOM HAS A FLAVOR THAT THOSE WHO HAVE NOT FOUGHT FOR IT WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND!!! Like I said before I understand were you are coming from, but there is a huge differance in between contractors and the military. Did your base get rockets shot at it YEP, I will about gaurantee it did. Did you do anything about it? NOPE, you ran into your bunker while the military went out and looked for the dudes endangering your life. Hopefully this clarifies it for you a little bit. ONCE AGAIN THERE IS A HUGE DIFFERANCE IN BETWEEN THE MILITARY AND CONTRACTORS. PLEASE STOP COMPARING YOUR SERVICE TO THEIRS IT IS NOWHERE NEAR CLOSE TRUST ME!!!!! Jimmy | ||
| Whisperstealth |
>>>This is something they offer for the military for their service to this country defending the freedoms you enjoy everyday and take for granted - Pretty sure Boogiman is not taking his freedoms for granted. - Curious about something. After a base was shelled / rocket attacted, did the motor pool guys go out, did the clerks, cooks, etc. On small bases this was probably true, but what about large ones. What was the tooth to tail ratio? Do you feel the "tail" end that stayed behind and spent all their time on base is just as deserving as those who went out. I understand your point. I can see how those in the military are sensitive to this issue. I am very grateful to all those in uniform. I agree there is a definite difference between enlisted military and contractors. However: >>>Don't get me wrong, alot of contractors do great work, but why does the military continue to buy products that we need civilians to work on? Makes zero sense to me, this is part of the reason for our great debt in the US. - You are upset at a government policy. And while not completely, but in a way directing your opinion and attitude toward the wrong person. - The contractor for better or worse do jobs that enable the soldiers to do their's. - The Contractors are still in their own way, fighting for freedom as well. And are still making a sacrifice in being away from the families and home. The tension and antagnism that exist between the military and contractors is not good. Does not help the mission, or make things anymore efficient. I do not think one or the other is to blame, but that a-holes on both sides tend to F-it up for everybody. Does Harley "owe" the contractor the same warranty coverage? No they do not. Should the contractors feel like they "deserve" the same coverage? - Maybe not. Should Harley be smart about it, and give them the same benefit? Hell Yes. Harley in almost all phase's is disenchanting it's owners, and the next generation of motorcyclist. Here again they might save some dimes here, but loose out on many more dollars later... | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
guys some of you are assuming way to much. it's regrettable that is the way you feel but it is yours to feel. 'just took a trip' wow i wasn't on vacation. do i feel like it's owed to me? not really no i don't would it be nice if they would extend the same courtesy to me for being there sure it would. believe me when i tell you how much respect i have for the guys that were kicking doors it is the utmost and no i do not make any comparison to my service to those men and women other than a geographical and danger(to a point) one. can anyone tell us how many contractors have been killed or abducted while in service to those in uniform? i honestly can't but it's at least 1,000 so far. let me be very clear i meant no disrespect in asking what i asked. it is my situation and i hadn't heard about it before on here so thought i would ask. as for why we need contractors. i would ask that you might visit some history texts. contract labor and logistics services go way back to the Greeks and even before them. the point of people like me is so that you soldiers can do the soldiering and we provide the 'other stuff' like food shelter water transportation mail service weapons repair ammunition vehicle repairs to make a short list of it. oh and the MWR facilities and all that entails. when the base and situation allows for it. plain truth is there just aren't enough enlisted to be self sufficient in a full scale country sized combat theater. as for the round about way of calling us all lazy yes some of us are then again i saw plenty of lazy wearing digi's. i really didn't think that this was going to cause a shit storm like this as i have never had anyone be so disrespectful of my chosen profession to my face in fact every single soldier airman marine and sailor i have ever spoken to has thanked me for my part in making their lives more comfortable while they were there and if not while and where they were than the thanks was for their brothers in arms. again just looking for information regarding the program that harley has setup for the military and was hoping it would be extended to contractors that were in service to the DOD as well. hell i nearly bought the bike via AAFEES put money down and all that until the same dealer they were going to deliver through made me a better offer on a bike i could pick up as soon as i got home. As for pretending to be what I am not. I never said anything other than what I am here. I was a contractor in service to the DOD specifically the Army and then the Air Force as my base was transitioned from Army to Air Force control. I worked in construction supply and then in general supply if that matters. Never carried a gun because I didn't need one thank God. Thankfully by the time I got there my base was well established and was honestly very comfortable considering. We were attacked in some form or fashion every single day I was there, so said the Army supplied security reports that I got to see the 'sanitized' versions of. I never got hit although there were a few very close calls. One less that 50ft from my office door that at that time was completely unprotected on that side, it was a dud thankfully. We were told by EOD(she was HOT!!) that if it had gone off that there would have likely been several fatalities and many more severely wounded, I would have likely been one of the wounded. So for those of you whom have served in uniform thank you very much and your welcome. | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
Jimmy if i knew you i probably would trust you however as i dont i dont. i get what you're saying. you're barking up the wrong tree with the nasty attitude man. | ||
| Slaughter |
Dunno where I fall on this. One of my fellow workers in this company had his head sawed off and results posted. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A521 66-2004Jun18.html Yes - folks working in those areas know the potential costs. If I got "asked" to go where God inserts the enema tube into his creation, I don't know if I'd be asking for Military benefits myself. I know Johnson didn't get Military benefits - he carried commercial life insurance. As contractors, you have choices. | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
sure did and so does our entire volunteer military... i am good with my choice and actually looking to repeat it in the very near future. was jsut curious as to whether or not anyone knew of any others like me being able to have that courtesy extended that is all. sadly it turned into more than that. | ||
| Court |
Simple answer is that Harley-Davidson MILITARY benefits are for MILITARY personnel. Next question. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
whiper 'Should Harley be smart about it, and give them the same benefit? Hell Yes. Harley in almost all phase's is disenchanting it's owners, and the next generation of motorcyclist. Here again they might save some dimes here, but loose out on many more dollars later...' I dont agree on this I dont see how they'll lose customers/money because some are/become contractors and dont get military benefits through them. | ||
| Bishopjb1124 |
No disrespect meant, if you took it that way reread it. I agree there are lazy asses in uniform as well, I CAN AFFECT THEM AND THEIR FUTURES. It just bothers me that people want/think a courtesy that is extended to the military should be extended to them as well. Not sure how many in this "Topic" have actually done military service, for those of you that have THANK YOU, and you more than likely see/understand my point of view. For those of you who have not done any military service I hold nothing at all against you, we each choose our own paths in life and you chose a differant path than me. Each of our jobs have benefits that make us envious of one another. But you don't see me asking for "Civy" benefits. THis year I missed, Thanksgiving, my wifes birhtday, my anniversary, Christmas, New Years and the birth of my children due to being deployed. In no way shape or form would I have ever change a decision I made. I take what I do to heart, and put every ounce of myself into being the best Marine I can be. I am cocky, I am arrogant, I am damn proud of what I do but more so of the young Marines that serve with me. They made a choice to do what they do while our country is in the midst of 2 wars. I just wish each and every American citizen could live a day in the lives of these fine Americans and see the hardships that occur daily, and how these Marines will do anything for each other. You would see stuff that would make you the most humble person in the world, and appreciate and I mean truly appreciate the hardships that these individuals live day to day. I have had Marines on this last deployment not shower for 3 months, not do actual laundry in 3 months and still get up every morning and go fight. That is why I take this to heart so much, again you will truly never understand unless you live a day in their lives. Jimmy | ||
| Buellerxt |
Boogiman, my opinion is that if it is offered to anyone supporting our efforts, in country, it should be offered to all, but of course that is Harley's decision. The arrogant military blah, blah, blah attitude on here is sad to read and does nothing but harm our good military in others eyes. Thanks for your efforts Boogiman. | ||
| Ljm |
Knowing (and being related to some) contractors in, well several austere environments, you definitely have my thanks. The effort is supported by variety of people, not all in uniform. Some of the bases, camps, and posts that our military serve in were built by contractors in environments with a whole lot less coverage than exist after all the troops arrive. So, again, thank you. Some of us get it. Unfortunately, the Motor Company is looking for advertising value. Right or wrong I would guess that is their logic. LJM | ||
| Court |
>>>Not sure how many in this "Topic" have actually done military service, I have. I also thank you for your help and am sure your job certainly had unique challenges. I don't see Harley-Davidson's written policy as being intended to fuel a contractor v. soldier disagreement. That's the product of the internet. While Harley may derive some advertising benefit I'd bet, at least when the program started, that it's fairly negligible. I do not know but I'm going to assume that their hearts were in the right place and they simply had to draw the line somewhere when they worded the policy. Be mindful that the presence of contractors in theatre may not be new but in the past no one would have been much aware of it. Harley-Davidson also has a line of bikes commemorating military service that are available only to card carrying military and vets. | ||
| Budgolf |
Yeah, contractors aren't in danger. Those guys don't do crap. http://icasualties.org/iraq/contractors.aspx | ||
| Glitch |
Not saying contractors aren't in danger, there are a lot of dangerous jobs out there that aren't being recognized. Fact is, if you'd like the benefits that come with being in the military, join the military. Like it or not contractors aren't military. I used to have a contract with Coca-Cola, instead of a "red" badge, I had a "black" badge. That let everyone know, there were things I couldn't do, couldn't have, didn't have access to etc. Six Flags over Georgia has a free night for Coca-Cola employees, you guessed it, "black" badges not invited, nor welcome. Was that enough for me to drop my contractor status, and go work for Coke? No way! I'd bet you're thinking the same way, or you'd drop your private contractor status, and join the military. | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
Jimmy thanks for the follow up. Like you I take my service very seriously and like yours my family missed a lot while I was gone and like you would do the same thing all over again. All I ever wanted to do since I was a kid was serve and tried however a ruptured disc prevents that. Being a contractor was/is my way of doing my part. In fact I am working a Navy contract stateside now. I come from a military fam and feel bad that I can't wear the uniform. So I do what I can do to help those that do. | ||
| Andymnelson |
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| Andymnelson |
I just felt like this thread needed some lightening up  GO RIDE! | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
Lmao well I'm grounded from fun riding for now, my weekend with my Roses. Won't miss it for a second with them around. |
