Journal JPFitting's Journal: Is it like this outside of the military?

Honestly I don't get it. The IT infrastructure in the military is ideal. All decisions are made at "command" level and filtered down to each individual "wing." Why is it, however, that they don't ask the lower levels what would be most practical. Wouldn't that be the smart thing to do? Is it like this in the real world or do IT's have more control?