The discussion is missing the two military airports, on either side of the airport, Newport News, in discussion.
I have departed VFR from an airport near an active military one, and asked for flight following, and described my flight destination. The controller advised a large formation of military inbound, arriving downwind, and flying a normal pattern, all jet transports. He suggested that I turn 90 degrees left, for 10 miles, then on course direct to my destination. I followed his request, and had quite a show as a long line of Hercules trundled slowly through the air.
Clearance delivery may try to co ordinate the active military traffic with the civilian pilots, to reduce the eyeball workload after you depart. Even if you will not be delayed for departure, it can be nice to know just what those other planes are going to do.
Pensacola in Florida has that service, and it was great to know that an airborne refueling training flight was inbound across my intended track, so delayed for a few minutes for the wake turbulence to settle. Purely voluntary on my part, but I have experienced in flight wakes twice, do not need any more.