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I'm not a Nuke but am a former submarine repair tech who's worked around reactors a bit, so here's my two cents worth...

2) Is the USN hiring?

Always have, always will. The military loves warm bodies/fresh meat. Remember, once you commit and sign that enlistment contract, you are at the mercy of the US Government, regardless of whether you get to Nuclear school or not.

3) How easy is it to get a job in the civilian world?

It depends on what your job specialty is. In general, in the Navy you will get Navy certifications and qualifications, not industry-standard, civilian certs and quals. Some employers will hire you with only military certifications, and others will want civilian certs, which you may have to pay for out-of-pocket. It also depends on who the employer is and what their attitudes towards Veterans are. Some employers will welcome you with open arms if you can simply prove you have an honorable discharge. Others will want more than that, such as contacts with previous military supervisors. Many of my prior Navy supervisors have transferred, retired, or deployed, so I am having difficulty with some prospective employers.

4) Anything else you can add?

Again, even if Nuclear Power School is written into your enlistment contract, the Navy is still under no legal obligation to send you there. You serve at the pleasure of and according to the needs of the Navy. If you keep your nose clean, study well, and stay academically eligible, you will make it into and graduate from Nuke School. But screw up just one little bit, piss the wrong person off, and you'll be kicked out of the Nuclear program, damned to some other mediocre job. Same holds true for most any other Navy school.

Recruiters will often brag about how you can go to college while in the Navy. It's a half-truth. There are many programs available such as PACE and Navy College, but guess what happens when you are needed for military duties while you are attending college? The mission comes first, and your supervisors will care less if you have to quit your class. Do take advantage of college if you join up, because that is just one more thing to put on your resume.

Now, tell me every reason why I shouldn't do that.

Safety. The Navy gives Lip Service to quality, reliability, and safety. New ships are leaving the shipyard even though they aren't completely ready. For evidence, look up "USS San Antonio" on Google. Existing ships, especially older ones, are poorly maintained. Desperate to save money, the Navy is hiring a lot of fly-by-night contractors who do shoddy repair work. A major emphasis is on "self sufficiency", even if the ship's crew is not certified or equipped to make repairs.

Bottom line is this. Unless you are completely commited to the Military and want to do a 20 to 30 year career, forget it. Get yourself into college. If you're just coming into the military for the vocational training and experience, you will be sadly disappointed.

Mark