This is so unreal. I mean when I was in the Army, if I sent a stern message to the commander telling him I was not going to comply with an order of his, my ass would be grass with at least an Article 15 being the lawn mower.
If this is a fact based story, those issuing the message need to start retirement immediately.
being stripped of their commissions for the good of the service would be a more appropriate punishment, imo.