Watching the system for a number of years
and subscribing off and on to periodicals covering all four services, my observation has been that there always are a few flag officers who actually encourage writing and don't object to some controversial stuff as long as it isn't overboard. A few of them will actually protect junior folks who write.
There are more of them who discourage such writing for several reasons, largely that it may reflect on them or the institutions they see themselves as guarding -- and the majority are sort of neutral and take no position unless, as Wilf says:
Quote:
"...if you write supporting a well liked or fashionable agenda, then you will be rewarded. - all about timing and use of language.
If you frighten or injure the Sacred Herd, you will suffer.
The good news is that it seems to me there is, as a result of more and better communication and openness, a slight trend to less restriction and persecution on writers.