As I stated before the ethics committee when the question of reprisals came up, reprisals can be varied. They can be numerous. They can come in many forms and can very often be hard to detect. Where there is discretion, command authority or an opportunity to decide things, the root of the abuses of power can exist. As I said, fundamentally, we're dealing with an accountability and abuse of power problem.
For example, you might complain about something, and then all of a sudden, for a posting you really wanted and might have been the most qualified for, well, as that's a discretionary decision, command has gone in a different direction. It could be emails attacking your credibility. I've experienced that.
The challenge is that there's supposed to be a military ethos, a code of ethics that is supposed to shame people and make them feel like they're doing wrong when they step outside of it. The problem is the incentive structure of the forces. If you're choosing a lifelong career in the forces, you risk not being promoted. You risk being thrust aside. You miss all kinds of opportunities, so the incentive could be that you're just going to keep quiet, keep your head down and do what the boss wants until you're the boss. Then, maybe, you can nudge the ball forward on things.
I could answer this question for an hour, but I'll stop there.