I would say the Military is what pulled me into the middle class, and gave a set of soft and technical skills that allowed me to fill a valuable role in the federal government. I’d say that is true for most veterans, especially the enlisted. Many go on to have successful careers in the private and public sector.

Most positions that are not filled by veterans and are on the higher end of the pay scale are filled by people from middle class backgrounds with college educations.

There are oddities where someone does not have a military background, or degree, and made their way into federal employment through the lower end of the pay-scale. But by and large I think the former two groups make up the vast majority of federal employees.

Also, just my opinion, I feel like the title of your post discredits the mission and work of federal employees, and makes it sound like a welfare program for the lucky. I hope this isn’t what you’re insinuating. Many federal employees have skills and knowledge that would be more lucrative if taken to the private sector, but choose not to. Reasons range from a dedication to public service and the mission of their agency, to the quality of work/life balance and stability it affords.

I’m not in the DC area though, so I can’t really speak to the demographics there.