Am I just getting yanked around? It is now almost three months since I've taken the Nuke Test. I keep getting told 'next week'. If I were told it could take a few months I would have understood the length, but I feel as if there is something not quite right. If my Nuke classification is not established by the end of the month will I be required to go to boot camp in December for the SGT rating? I would feel much more at ease if someone let me know that this is normal, or at least could help on the ship date issue. When I asked my recruiter about the ship date issue he just told me that he was sure my contract would come before then....I'm really not so sure at this point.
Yes, get used to employees in the Federal Government losing your paperwork. Now, in the military, afterwards (e.g., VA). Be prepared to fight for anything that you want on YOUR timeline. If you don't care, then just wait for the "trainwreck" at your Ship-Out date and then complain here that your ship-out date is delayed. That'll show them: you don't show up at boot camp, but you also don't have a paycheck. The good news: I've never heard of anyone being shipped out as a non-nuke while waiting for their nuke paperwork. Meanwhile...
What can you do to be Proactive? (Keep in mind you are NOT a "lowly" E-3 yet)...
1. You didn't say that your recruiter plans to ship you out without the paperwork. Did you ask him what will happen if your nuclear contract is not in order before you ship-out? "Chief, after talking with many current and former Navy Nukes on NukeWorker, I have the following concerns..."
2. Ask him for the name/number for the nuclear recruiter at MEPS and/or the MEPS XO. No, you're not an E-3 yet (did I type that already?). If you're not happy, and your questions are not being answered, then elevate your concern. If you were getting poor service from a cashier at BestBuy would you just go home and complain on a web forum, or would you ask to talk to the store manager? Same thing here. Caution: I wouldn't go to the "next level" without thoroughly, completely, and calmly discussing this issue at each appropriate level.
3. Ask him for the name and telephone number to the "higher up in Washington DC" who reportedly owns this problem, since he doesn't have any answers for you.
4. He suggests you ship-out without a nuclear contract? You laugh and walk out. (Yes, that's an easy one.)
5. If you get to the end of this road and the NNPP has failed you? Write your Congressman. "I wanted to serve my country, but they kept losing my paperwork."
Let us know which one worked. I doubt you'll have to get past #1.
Co-60