Congrats on finding a way in, Cal!
Until I started hanging out here last spring, I had never even heard of NFCU. I've only got one brother left who's active duty (the others discharged years ago), and he's getting out in only a few months. I guess 'the stars were aligned' because I was able to get him to join then a couple of weeks later, I used his access number (what they call member number) to join myself. Right after I got my membership, I applied and was approved for their platinum MasterCard... they gave me the largest credit line and lowest APR of all of my cards.
I'm quite pleased with USAA for my checking, but if I ever had the need to make a change, NFCU would be my first stop. Many folks here get a checking account with Navy so they can get the CLOC, but I've already got two checking accounts, and with the high limit on the credit card they gave me, I honestly have no need for a CLOC (which would likely also have a higher APR than the card they gave me). That's just me, though... many folks on here absolutely rave over the CLOC, and if I ever do need one I will go with NFCU.
I think you're being smart about how your handling your soon-to-be membership... there are quite a few threads just on myFICO that tell of the infamous security dept. of NFCU. In my own case I chose to be cautious as well; technically I was eligible through my brother even if he hadn't joined (until he's discharged), but to minimize the chances of having my accounts locked I asked him to join first (it was an easy sell), so that my own membership could be directly linked to him. I like to say, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". (I offered to pay his $5 share account deposit as well, but once he realized how much he was going to benefit, he was fine paying it himself... LOL)
