The process as I remember it (last couple of months):
Son said he wanted to join the Navy.
Recruiter contacted him (we thought because son sent the card in, but it was not, it was a routine call)
Recruiter came to the house a couple of times. I did as much research as I could on the 'procedure.' Recruiter seemed to be saying things that were backed up by what I found.
Son went to MEPS, took ASVAB there. Scored high enough to be eligible to take a test for the Nuke program, they even had a nuclear recruiter there to talk to us. We had never heard of the nuke program.
At MEPS, son had to choose a rate in case he didn't pass the nuke test. He chose with the idea that's what he'd be doing the next 6 yrs, signed all the papers. I knew about the bonuses available from online, but he was told what the bonus was, and got the paperwork for it.
2 wks later he took the nuke test, passed, had to do paperwork all over again, which canceled out the paperwork from MEPS. He was told of the bonus, given paperwork stating the change in rate, and the bonus offereed after nuke school
I even commented to the recruiter that I appreciated his 'soft sell' method because my protective mother mode would have surfaced if I had sensed even a hint of dishonesty.
Of course, there could have been lies we are not aware of, but I don't think so.
Through the whold process he was told he was not guarateed anything until it was in writing and could not be promised a rate until MEPS.
The recruiter commented that he wanted to get things rolling because the longer we waited, the fewer rates available. Now, was he saying that just to get son in to meet quota? I don't know. He said he was required to sign up one kid/mo, and he already had 4 that month.
They did seem to be in a hurry to get the nuke thing going.
My son went to MEPS Sept 14 I believe, signed paperwork for nuke 2 wks ago, the soonest he could leave for BC is Aug 9, 2006. He has to graduate from high school first, in May of 06.They asked if he could graduate early, I said no, he will not. He won't be 18 until April, so I had final say in that.
Throughout the whole process, I got the feeling nothing was guaranteed until he signed the papers.
If you go to BC in Sept, the bonus after nuke school is $12,000. Aug and before, $8000.
Keep in mind while you're in DEP, you can back out.