I hear you Charlie.
I don't remember where or when, but I've advocated some of those same points. In fact, I've taken them farther.
If you are just in it for the money, there are much higher paying jobs for nukes. While this thread is basically saying that there are lots of nuclear jobs that aren't commercial, I'm saying that there are lots of non-nuclear jobs that pay better or worse than commercial nuke. Navy nukes, with or without degrees can land jobs in almost any industry.
Some ex-Navy nukes are attorneys ( I know of two personally). Some are commercial airline pilots. I met two who operate a gas-fired cogen plant in California. There are probably a few who are teachers, artists, ministers, electrical contractors ...etc. Heck, just being a MM2 will get you a Journeyman card as a Millwright (visit the Carpenters and Joiners Union Local for this) which pays as much as $75 an hour including benefits in some areas.
Not only are you not limited to commercial nuclear, you are not limited to nuclear. A Navy nuke can do almost any job there is if you give him a little time to learn it.
If it is satisfaction you crave, or something close to home, or a new experience, or the chance to travel, or the chance to never travel again, or just a job you love... you can do it probably better than anyone else. If it's money you seek, it's there too.