General Discussion

In the late 70s, the AF was doing it's Combined Federal Campaign and I was being pressured to donate by my OIC. I refused because I was a junior airman not making much money. He kept trying to get me to donate and even said just to sign the donor pledge, which I didn't do, figuring he'd make a cash donation in my name. In the end, he gave up on me.

However, our hospital administrator, major, who was a real prick. He'd read a book on leadership through intimidation and tried to intimidate everyone to doing what he wanted them to do. We had a TSgt (E-6) who refused to donate to the CFC and the major told him he needed to sign a paper as to why he wouldn't donate. The TSgt said he was busy but if the major would leave the paper with him he'd be happy to complete it and return it to him after he made a copy of it and sent it to his congressman. The major grabbed the paper back and nothing more was heard of it.

My job in the AF was medical materiel (supply) where we bought the supplies and equipment used in the hospitals and clinics. I'd get officers and NCOs trying to force me to buy something that wasn't authorized or approved. I'd simply tell them why I couldn't do it and that usually ended it there. There were times when they insisted and threatened me and I said "Okay, but I first have to inform the commander, base contracting, and finance before I can do it." At that point, they back down. The main thing on illegal orders is to let them know they will have to explain themselves to their commander if I follow their orders after they've been told the correct procedures.