Well, they are at least taking a wide stance on the issue.
Upper brass in the military are no different than anyone else who has had a long job career with one company. They spend years of their life getting to the top in anticipation that someday they can/will retire (yes comfortably). That being said, which one of us, having spent years on the job would not want to protect that long term investment in our future? (Probably not many).
To make matters worse, your a-hole boss says, “This is my policy, take it or leave”. You consider your options, go against the grain (your beliefs) and follow the bosses orders or, leave and risk loosing what you have spent years building. IMO, its called “Blackmail”.
We saw what that wide stance got us in Crimea, a foot getting cut off.
Given your comment on wide stance, it would seem you are a political junkie. On the same subject, recall the Penn State problem and the little boys. This was in an environment where things like that were totally unexpected and not allowed. Now, senior officers are being told to accept this sort of thing or resign. Makes my skin crawl. Then, there was the problem of FBI Director Hoover and his Mafia handlers. Too bad, the president cannot see the other side of this story — of course he never can — he’s never been there.