They can't tell them what to do, but they can and certainly do pull the "If you want your choice of next assignment, you'll do what I say" card. Agreed that it is a good thing. I would pay good money to read some of them, because Lord knows there are quite a number of senior leaders who need to be (rightfully) slaughtered on these things. This is great college graduation or SOS guest speaker material, but just doesn't cut it in today's climate. I wish it were different, and indeed I can remember the days when you could speak out respectfully and it would be welcomed by squadron (and above) leadership. The sad truth is that these days, if you disagree with leadership, "regardless of the consequences" takes on a whole new meaning. In the last 5 years I have heard several instances of CGOs literally being threatened with 365 deployments, UAV assignments, getting non-join spouse assignments, and unfavorable rankings during the "RIF". I'm talking "You didn't agree with me over the TDY crew schedule, so I had your assignment cancelled" type things. There is a difference between possibly slowing your career/upgades/office movement down over "fighting the good fight" and "I don't get to see my family for a year because I spoke up." It doesn't take too many instances of that sort of heavy-handed "leadership" to shut everyone up. The worst offenders for this sort of behavior, in my experience over the last 2-3 years, have all made O-6 or O-7. As the saying goes, "Rule #3: There is no justice". FWIW, I'm not trying to grind an axe here. I'm just a former AD, now long time ANG guy who deploys quite a bit and watches in shocked amazement when I hear these stories from my AD buddies. I'm hopeful that the doses of current reality you are getting on BODN are helpful in fighting the good fight at the puzzle palace. We really need it.