Yes, there are a lot of lifers and they have social connection to support each other. Every younger person I know who tried NASA (government jobs not subcontrac

Yes, there are a lot of lifers and they have social connection to support each other. Every younger person I know who tried NASA (government jobs not subcontractor) has absolutely hated its culture and found the lack of productivity boring. At least in my small sample, they all left and went private. The ones who stay are happy to be doing little and can tolerate the politics.