First off, I’d like to thank Chris and Jodi for putting up with me for the past 30 days. I couldn’t ask for any better friends.
The main reason I was staying in one place that long is that there were major paperwork issues regarding my DD-214 or retirement papers. The DD-214 is the key to many things. You can’t get a Retirement ID, Disability claims depend on it, VA loans too and whole bunch more stuff. The ineffective personnel office at Sector San Francisco were their usual useless selves and traveling and dealing with the mess would have been a bigger nightmare.
Here’s my timeline.
- I went on terminal leave on the 7th of June.
- I asked about my DD-214 around 18th of July. They apologize for the delay
- I approved the draft around the 22nd of July,
- I get the Final Copy on the 30th of July.
- I FedEx’ed my signed copied to the Sector on the same day. They get it the 31st of July
- I email on the 9th of August about my DD-214. No response.
- I email the YN1 who’s supposed to sign my orders on the 13th of August. He replies that all I have to do is sign them and pick them up. I inform him I sent signed orders. The Service Personnel Office never received them from Sector. I’m also given two phone numbers that don’t work but I get a YN3 that a gives a fuck.
- Sector informs the Service Personnel Office that they’ll bring the orders over Friday the 17th of July but someone FINALLY does their Job and I get the paperwork on the 15th of August.
- They sent me all the DD-214s, even the ones they are supposed to keep. I had to mail a few back.
Now, I get to deal with the VA……looks like 8 months til any disability claims can come through…

Prepping and repairing the Fat Bob for Sturgis. Dickie installed the new LED headlights yesterday and I’m picking up the Screamin’ Eagle Big Twin Compensator from the HD dealer this morning. Amazon should be delivering new titanium exhaust wraps for the pipes today too. The Clutch is fine but will need some adjustment. We have the new rear pulley and new chain tensioner ready and we’ll finish the install Sunday and she’ll be ready to roll hopefully Monday. I’ll have a week for a proper shakedown until we head up to Sturgis. It’ll be nice to get back on the Motorcycle since my shoulder got repaired, it’s been too long.
I always loved Bonneville Salt flats. I’ve said it before but it does make you want to go fast. Last time I was here, I was on a Motorcycle trip about five years ago to Pueblo West with Chris, Dickie and Paul. I remember pinning the speedometer on my Dyna only to have Dickie smoke past me on his Road Glide. Great times. It’s a bit different visit when your towing said Motorcycle because it’s broken. I saw a few people take their Minivans out on the salt. Kind of an insult if you ask me. Furi was not impressed.