T-shirts and first names are symbolic of a culture that recognizes the need for a hierarchy but does not worship at its altar. The point is that if my manager s

T-shirts and first names are symbolic of a culture that recognizes the need for a hierarchy but does not worship at its altar. The point is that if my manager says something which is utterly wrong, I can correct him in the moment and he’ll thank me for it. If I can’t do that, then yes it does prevent me from doing my job. For what it’s worth, I don’t mean to suggest the Pentagon should operate more like SV companies (I don’t really know). I’m just giving it as a reason I personally would not want to work there.