Vantaggi
Decent pay for hourly (I progressed from GS-5 to GS-9 in 4 years), lots of time and a half opportunities. When times are good, voluntary travel to some cool locations (Japan, San Diego). Never felt any real safety concerns even in a heavily industrial environment.
Svantaggi
Terrible work life balance. You live for the shipyard, and be prepared for lots of overtime for the foreseeable future. They work you like you're actually in the Navy even though you're a civilian. While not actively treating you like crap, the management continually shows no regard for their employees happiness or opinions. Union agreement only requires them to give you one day off for every 13 days worked. So in a 2 week span you could work 13 twelve hour shifts and only get one day off for rest (you actually catch up on 2 weeks of chores), only to turn around and work another 13 days of twelves. This happened multiple times, including working a back shift 12 on the weekend (6PM-6AM), Sunday off then a full week of day shift 12's, 2 back shift 12's the next weekend, a swing shift on a Monday to "roll back" onto days, and then day shift regular shifts through the weekend. Where's the sleep/recuperation in that?