"In large corporations, as in the military, there’s frequently a cult-like atmosphere..."

Nonsence, at least in the USA. I've been in two branches of the US military and no such thing exists. There is a rank hierarchy that allows all of it operate efficiently, but I have never seen a commanding officer venerated by their troops. You have to respect the rank, not the man or woman. Some officers are more respected than others simply because they are better at what they do or have a more engaging personality, just like any organization. Service in the US armed forces is based on a voluntarily signed legal contract, not swearing an oath to a commander. I had so many general officers over me I can't remember a a fifth of them. Most of them were jagoffs.

Famed military historian John Keegan once noted that the US military was so successful because it operated like a business. On the other hand, the British armed forces with their ancient magical bullshit and caste system may be more suseptable to such things.