Queen,
I just got out of the nav' with a tour at NPTU. While I wouldn't say I hated it, I definitely would NOT recommend him reenlisting in the hopes of his sea duty time getting reduced so he can go there. A) He probably won't get his time shortened and B) it's a damn tough shore duty.
Per the regs (MILPERSMAN), yes, it is TECHNICALLY possible for him to get a reduced time on his sea duty. However, he would have to get his entire chain of command to buy off on him heading up there early. I don't know of anyone from any carriers getting off early to go to any of the four prototypes, but maybe it's happened recently and I just wasn't paying attention. For sub guys, it's happened (not for me, but others I know). So, don't count on getting the good deal. Never count on getting the good deal.
If he reenlists smartly, he won't have to do any extra time after his NPTU tour. If he doesn't, he could face a year to 18 months back out at sea after his shore duty.
Bottom line, just like Drayer alluded to, is that none of what you wrote sounded like good reasons to reenlist. If he's reenlisting just to get BAH, I would strongly advise him against it. If he's worried about being able to afford rent so his girlfriend can come live with him, I understand that. But just like I tell all junior nukes...get a good portion of your sea duty time out of your way if you aren't married yet, and THEN worry about marriage. If you're going to go to school, how will you afford out of state tuition? If you get married, most states will grant military spouses in state tuition simply by showing military ID cards. Just a thought.
Was your boyfriend at Charleston or New York? If New York, and at MARF, there's a very good chance I know him. I was something called a TC, and saw most of the students that went through there at some point as they sat in their cubes studying (or more often than not, shooting the sh**).
Regardless of his decision to stay in or get out though, the biggest advice he could get is to get Chief Reactor Watch qualified ASAP, and PPWS, if possible. PPWS will go a long way, as long as he holds it for a while and stands the watch. Especially when it comes to him being up for a shore rotation (A School and NPS are MUCH better shore duties). Also, take some college classes while at sea! I am VERY glad that I did. I would find time to read while sitting in the chow line, waiting for after-watch cleanup to start, etc. Compared to NPS, the classes he'll take aren't that hard, so he should be able to do well with relatively small amounts of time investment.
Luke