I’m a 24-year Navy vet and now have almost 30 years in the private sector. Have worked with many fine Federal civilian employees, and I suspect you’re one of them. My heartburn is that there are way too many civilians (huge govt.), they are illegally unionized, and it’s difficult to get rid of bad apples in such a seniority-based system. If it were a non-union, merit-based system, I’d bet you’d be running the show at your base. Stay with FR, despite the few jerks.
FWIW most citizens common exposure to Federal employees is the USPS followed by the IRS. Veterans Affairs, medicare and Social Security are runners up. Around here not your best PR tool.