NFO is a great opportunity. Don't turn it down unless you really know what an NFO does (most applicants don't) and how actual career opportunities differ from a pilot (not really at all). Bounce that off what you truely expect from your Navy experience. You may be able to do everything you wanted to do, be challenged just as much as you expected, see the things you wanted to see, lead saliors and be respected as much as you expected as a NFO. If, however, you only wanted to drive planes and your personal career goals don't go beyond that, then you probably shouldn't take NFO. There are hundreds of guys standing in line behind you that want it. As an aside, what your recruter said isn't exactly true. CNRC will look at you again later for pilot and in the past have even made pilot offers to folks that turned down NFO. But it is HIGHLY unlikely in today's environment. Pilot opennnings are just too rare right now. If you are young enough maybe you could gamble on waiting a year or two to see if things open up. It is a big gamble. One more thing. The NFO to pilot thing comes up all the time on the forum. Absolutely do not take NFO with the hopes of becoming a pilot lter. It does happen but is pretty rare. You can't even apply until you have completed a sea tour as an NFO and then you have to hope they need guys at your seniority just when you become available. Timeing and luck are the rule. Some years they take 2 or 3 Navy wide. Other years maybe 20-30. You just can't count on it for your happiness or career satisfaction. PM me if you need to know more about NFOs. Good luck.
. Good luck with whatever decision you make.