This is your opinion. Clearly I disagree and perhaps we should let the OP and his son make this decision after hearing ALL opinions.Honestly, you have been giving poor advice on this topic.
Hold out? I never suggested any such thing. I suggested he be firm and to decide what he wanted in his future.Advising a cadet who didnt get their first choice of branch to hold out or make waves within the big Navy is an entirely different issue.
Assignment? This is more than a temporary duty station or unpleasant desk assignment.All these young men and women who are going to be future officers need to learn sooner rather than later that the military is going to involve unpleasant assignments.
I really don't think it's a good idea for anyone to flail about. As to whether it's an "inevitable outcome"...well that's what we are discussing.You can make the best of it and drive on, or flail about and try and change an inevitable outcome.
It may not be the correct course of action according to you but it definitely is not "disingenuous" (you might want to check the meaning of that word).Advising a cadet to do the latter is disingenuous.
I still believe the OP's son should firmly convey his feelings/opinions to those that have chosen him for this career. If despite his expressing himself to his immediate chain of command...he is still sent for a pre-nuke interview....he'll have another chance to firmly inform those decision makers about his feelings towards nukes. If after all that, the Navy in it's infinite wisdom decides to force a square peg into a round hole and invest money on nuke school and training...then the mid will have to make the best of the situation. BUT....up until then....the mid should stand up for what he wants. Again...JMPO