As a former Naval Flight Officer, it's somewhat ironic how the private sector is more "sir, yes sir" command and control than the military ever was, and they're the ones who stereotype servicemembers for being drones who can only follow orders.

The other thing I've seen incredibly less of in software than in uniform is a bias for action at all levels. Combined with understanding the mission, a mentality that "in the absence of being told what to do, I will act." Better to ask forgiveness than permission, etc. etc. So many people in the private sector just wait for the boss to push them around like chess pieces, and I can't understand how they're OK living like that.

> So many people in the private sector just wait for the boss to push them around like chess pieces, and I can't understand how they're OK living like that.

I think a lot times, office workers will be reprimanded for taking action if they don't realize their chain of command are not supportive. Have this happen a couple of times, and you will quickly move into this mode of "I'm not going to do anything I'm not told to do." I can recall more than one former company where taking the initiative to perform some action independently was very risky to your career there.

Because every time I've done something of my own initiative, one of three things happens:

1/ I'm punished or reprimanded for doing something that my time wasn't explicitly scheduled for. This comes from managers.

2/ Nobody cares and I'm now further behind on the things I committed to.

3/ People care, are happy I took the initiative, but I'm not materially rewarded in any way. At worst, I'm given more work.

In all cases I am no better off. I just don't do it anymore. Employers don't want employee autonomy, so they don't get employee autonomy. Employers only want to give paychecks not profits, so they get employees who only want paychecks.