Boomers in Washington are actually in Bangor (Navy Base Kitsap), a short drive north of Bremerton (Puget Sound Naval Shipyard). For orders to a boomer, or anywhere else desirable, it goes like this: the top performers get first pick. It's one incentive to always do your best.
For example, if 100 people in a class want to go to a boomer, but there are only 80 positions available, who gets them? Folks are sorted by gpa. If all the boomer spots are full before they get to your gpa, guess what? Welcome to the fast-boat fleet. See my other posting here for my opinions on each. Having been on 3 fast boats and 1 boomer, I can at least discuss both with some authority.