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I'm not precisely sure on this deal but believe a service member can be disciplined for bad mouthing the CINC even if out of uniform.

They can. It's called Contempt Towards Officials and it's covered by Article 88 of the UCMJ.

Exactly right. Military members enjoy most the same rights as citizens, but their free speech is limited under Article 88. Military may vote, contribute to political campaigns, and attend political events (sometimes even in uniform), but must be careful to not appear to support a candidate when in uniform. I have seen lots of off-duty active servicemen and servicewomen at Tea Party events. Bumper stickers affixed to vehicles driven on military bases are generally ok ("vote for Candidate X"), but not ones that are contempuous of the President or others in the chain of command.

Military officers are taught that they should challenge orders they truly believe are illegal/unconstitutional, but actions known as "falling on one's own sword" should be given careful consideration, as the officer must be sure he is right and you only get to do it once. LTC Lakin evidently believes he is right and has the added value of being a doctor, so if he is court-martialed, he can go back to his practice (provided Obamacare doesn't push him out of that, too!). I take issue with those on the Left who are calling him a coward by refusing to deploy - he has a Bronze Star and a Combat Medic badge, so he has been deployed before and served well. What he is doing now certainly takes courage, as he is fully aware of the consequences.