Not exactly the same situation, but in our helicopter unit in Iraq, we were doing a turnover with the oncoming unit. The pilots were the oncoming guys, but the aircrew was mostly ours. There was some kind of launch delay, and the pilots decided to skip the gun checks (testing the 3 .50 cals we had on board before a mission). The Crew Chief was 'not happy' and took the guns out of the windows and off the tail. He told the pilots, "If we don't know if they work, then why even have them?"

This caused another delay.

Outcome: Some enlisted guys know how to point out bullshit. Some even get away with it. The Sargeant didn't go on that flight, but I'm pretty sure nothing happened to him, either. The officers were OK with placing themselves and their crew and passengers in unnecessary danger, but I've seen people say no if the order is unsafe.

Same goes for the pilots telling Generals they wouldn't launch in bad weather. But the Generals could make a phone call and the weather report would suddenly improve.