Basically a waiver is a piece of paper that says "you don't mean every single bullet that we want as a nuke candidate, but you are a good enough prospect that we are goign to overlook it". There are waivers for numerous things such as too many driving infractions, abnormal levels of debt, some other "indiscretions", and for failing certain classes in high school. As a nuke, your son will need to be heavy in math, physics, and chemistry. Since he failed one of these courses, it sends up a red flag to people who decide if he is good enough to be a nuke. Those red flags are used to help determine if a person will succeed in the nuke program. Since he did well on his ASVAB and other tests, his recruiter is filling out paperwork to say that even though he failed algebra, x number of years ago, he is still a viable candidate for nuke program. Once he signs his contract that he is a nuke, I am 99% sure that he will go to nuke school, baring any problems with his security clearance. Remember though that nothing is guaranteed UNLESS it is in writing, which includes any promises a recruiter might make such as special pays, bonuses, living conditions, etc.
