I used to work for a beltway bandit and I experienced the same stuff described in the article. If you want an easy, comfortable job, that sort of work is perfect. If you want to do impactful work, it's the worst place you could be. Yet, that is exactly what you are promised: the opportunity to do purportedly important work, when all evidence points to the contrary. I just wish we could be honest with each other about this sort of stuff.